Brent Seabrook emotionally opens up on the gruesome ending to his hockey career

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Sam Walker
December 22, 2023 (10:41)

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After three surgeries to salvage his playing career, Brent Seabrook faced the harsh reality that his body had other plans.

In a recent emotional statement to TSN, the three-time Stanley Cup champion revealed the challenging journey that led to his retirement in March 2021.

Seabrook, determined to end his career on his own terms, underwent extensive surgeries in hopes of making a comeback. However, the relentless pursuit to stay healthy took a toll, leaving him unable to walk for three months. Despite his unwavering commitment to the game, the physical toll became insurmountable.

"I couldn't walk," Seabrook told TSN in a recent interview. "I was ready to go, and then all of a sudden, I couldn't walk. It was three months of banging my head against the wall trying to get healthy."

Reflecting on his 15-year career with the Chicago Blackhawks, Seabrook acknowledged the impact of his stubbornness in wanting to be there for his teammates, even at the expense of his own body.

"I had a great career," he said. "Maybe my stubbornness of not missing games � wanting to be out there with my teammates � affected my body later on. You don't want to go out that way. I wanted to go out on my own terms.

In March 2021, Seabrook officially announced his retirement, recognizing that his body had finally spoken, telling him to "screw off." Determined to contribute to hockey in a different capacity, Seabrook, alongside his wife Dayna, identified a new path.

"I told my body to just screw off for 15 years. It finally turned around and told me to screw off. "She's like, 'You just light up when you talk hockey, he recalled his wife saying. "'You're done playing, but it's what you're meant to do."

Transitioning into coaching, Seabrook briefly joined the Vancouver Giants in the WHL coaching staff. However, his true calling came with Canada's national junior hockey team for the 2024 World Junior Hockey Championship.

Expressing excitement for his new role, Seabrook looks forward to sharing his wisdom and championship experience with the next generation of players. While he rules out coaching or managing a professional team in the near future, he remains open to the idea down the road.

"I'm just excited," he said. "I don't think I could be a coach or a manager of a professional team today. But that's definitely something I want to keep open."