I retired from playing professional hockey in 2021.   I started playing professionally in 2011 after I signed a contract with the Florida Panthers and decided to leave the University of Denver after only three seasons.   I felt completely “burnt out” when I decided to stop playing and could not understand why, after playing professionally for only 10 seasons. I always thought I was going to be the guy who played until he was 40. Recently, I had a conversation with a friend of mine, Derek Armstrong, who helped me crystallize my thoughts on why this occurred. Derek and I had very similar skill sets and talent levels.   Let’s begin by comparing our careers: Derek: 17 years pro, 477 NHL games, 1,015 pro games, retired at 37. Drew: 10 years pro, 99 NHL games, 322 pro games (a million healthy scratches), retired at 30.   From the time I was three years old, I shot pucks every day. I did this because I thought I had to in order to make the NHL. Derek shot pucks every day because he thought it was fun and genuinely enjoyed it.   I moved away from home when I was 13 to play hockey in Vancouver, and that was the year I mentally made hockey a job. I never once felt any pressure from either of my parents; this was simply the way I was wired at an early age. Derek played with his buddies every day on a pond until he turned 18. He didn’t think hockey was a job until his first NHL game at 20 years old.   This is an important lesson for both players and parents. I now realize that when I retired at 30, I felt exhausted because I had been treating the game like a profession for 17 seasons.   It is impossible to reach the pinnacle of any profession without years of hard work. The best players love their work. They enjoy every part of the game, which enables them to sustain energy and be successful for many years.   You have to find a way to fall in love with the daily grind, or else long-term success is impossible. This applies to sports and everything else in life.

Mental Health Check In. The power of checking in on our loved ones, friends and even strangers’ mental health can mean the world of a difference, if they’re struggling. And if you’re struggling, spinning, wobbly and just can’t quite catch your breath - you gotta reach out and ask for help. It’s ok, to say you’re not ok. Asking for help, is not a weakness, it’s your superpower. Being vulnerable is being strong. I’ve been there and continue to manage it all day by day. Keep checking in on each other and let’s reach out to our tribe when we start to struggle and spin. Love U dj #worldmentalhealthday

Danny Hodgson (Cree Métis) will be signing autographs on Sat Oct 28th from 3-4pm at the Westjet NHL Fan Park (ICE District) as part of the Heritage Classic festivities in #yeg. Huge thanks to @UpperDeckHockey for this! Please RT! @TheWHL @CHLHockey @zsclions @PARaidersHockey

Sports talk radio is coming back on September 5th. Beyond excited. @KevinKarius @ConnorHalley @Lowetide @OilersNation @sports1440 @Iwantadonair @b_a_d1727 @DeclanKrueger

Hey twitter family (In Edmonton) can you keep a look out for someone selling a replica Stanley Cup that is signed it has @ProAmSports stickers on all four sides of the case. It was stolen from my friends place

HUGE NEWS! We can’t wait to see you! Watch the video, retweet and get to work! #AMNasty amnastyyeg@gmail.com

PLEASE SHARE/RETWEET - 💥Edmonton Card Shops Beware - Piece of Garbage on the loose💥 Police report has been filed and missing cards/product documented. Watch out for this scumbag, operates with a female getaway driver. More info to come. #retweet

Hate will never win

If you have questions about mental health resources, such as: 🔵 What options are there? 🔵 What might be best for you? 🔵 How do I access them? 🔵 What do they actually *do*? 🔵 What if money is tight? DM us, email us, or visit our website and click on "Resources".

Hey #yeg dog lovers! There are a few dogs at @AARCS_Canada who would love to get out of the shelter for alittle while. Some have been there for months☹️
 w/ high rates of surrenders & low volunteer sign ups, staff & dog caregivers are approaching burn out. Pls consider helping

Fighting for something bigger than himself ❤️ #UFCLondon

This week, Ben got a special package in the mail! The very inspirational Laila Anderson sent Ben her signed hockey card along with a really nice letter! We’re sending some back your way, Laila! We’re hoping the #Oilers have the same outcome that the #blues did with you! @nhl

We heard the demand and we listened. Ben Stelter’s official trading card is now on e-Pack for a limited time. With each purchase, all net proceeds will go directly to the Kids With Cancer Society (@kwcsyeg)! Get yours now 👉 bit.ly/3FmduPX #GoBenGo #CollectTheBest

“Every kid, every hockey player always dreams of having their face on a hockey card. Today Upper Deck has made you a hockey card, your very own.” - @cmcdavid97 on Ben Stelter’s trading card #CollectTheBest

Thank you #sherwoodpark ! With your help, we have raised ONE MILLION DOLLARS in support of our friends at @StolleryKids 💜 Celebrate with BOGO Blizzards- March 21st-March 27th buy any size blizzard and get another for just $1.99 !

The WWE family will forever remember Scott Hall as a gifted entertainer and 2-time WWE Hall of Famer, a loving father and a dear friend.

As a kid I was in Airborne #Cadets at #Griesbach before I joined the #Navy Reserves. Any #elks fans that are in Cadets in YEG now? I’ve got a fun idea… #GoElks DM me

It’s Bell Let’s Talk Day! Check out how these celebrities look after their own mental health and join the conversation. For each video view, Bell donates an additional 5¢ to Canadian mental health initiatives. #BellLetsTalk

Stephanie Labbé should've been on top of the world after helping Canada win bronze at Rio 2016. But Labbé wasn’t wearing the medal. The medal was wearing her. Ahead of #BellLetsTalk day, read Steph Labbé’s story of depression, a 🥉 and resilience ➡️ bit.ly/2Gf7SdX