Defenseman Zach Trotman, a member of the Pittsburgh Penguins organization for parts of the past four seasons, has retired.
The 30-year-old announced his decision via Instagram.
In the posting, Trotman explained the physical rigors of the sport prompted his decision.
Trotman wrote:
“This game has been my life for 26 years, obsessing about it almost every minute of every day. It’s engrained (sic) in my blood and in my bones, and I know it will never leave me. Going out against your will is never the way you want to go. But we all have our expiration date and unfortunately my body just can’t handle the beating anymore.
“So at the moment, it is hard to see all the positives, but I’ll never take for granted all of the life skills, memories, teammates, coaches, and just pure enjoyment I’ve been able to experience from this wild ride. It built me into the man, husband, and father I am today and for that I am forever grateful. Where one chapter ends, another begins. Here’s to attacking the next chapter of life, just as fiery as the 4-year-old kid that embarked on the past one. Cheers to the game, and thank you.”
Trotman opened the 2020-21 season on injured reserve after suffering a torn meniscus in his right knee during training camp. That injury and other ailments limited him to eight American Hockey League (AHL) games with Wilkes-Barre/Scranton.
Initially joining the Penguins as an unrestricted free agent signing in July 2017, Trotman played in 24 NHL games for the Penguins during his time with the organization and recorded one assist. He was scheduled to become an unrestricted free agent this upcoming offseason.
Selected with the last overall pick in the 2010 draft by the Boston Bruins, Trotman was one of four so-called “Mr. Irrelevants” to play for the Penguins. He was preceded by forward Andy Brickley (1980), defenseman Hans Jonsson (1993) and forward Patric Hornqvist (2005).
Including his time with the Bruins, Trotman played in 91 NHL games and scored 12 points (three goals, nine assists).
