Former NHLer Taylor Pyatt confirms he will retire: 'It's just time for me to sort of step away'

Taylor Pyatt is calling it quits.

The former NHLer, a first-round selection in the 1999 NHL Draft, told Leith Dunick of TB News Watch that he's decided to retired.

"I had a few more injuries this year, a few more concussions. It’s just time for me to sort of step away. I’m proud of what I accomplished in my career, but now’s the time to take a little time away from the game and we’ll see," said Pyatt.

"I just want to get through the summer here and enjoy myself. I think it’ll start to hit me a little more in the fall when everyone starts going back to training camp and is starting to play again."

The 33-year-old forward played in 859 games in his NHL career, with his best years taking place with the Vancouver Canucks from 2006-09. He spent last season in Switzerland with Geneve Servette.

Pyatt earned 280 points and 420 penalty minutes in a career that saw him play for six different franchises.