Selanne relishing retired life

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This article was published 08/01/2015 (3908 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

ANAHEIM, Calif.— After waffling about retirement for years, the Finnish Flash is loving life in new ways now that he’s chosen to hang up his skates.

Teemu Selanne, 44, called it quits at the end of last spring’s playoffs after a 22-year career of prolific scoring that began with the Winnipeg Jets and his iconic, record-breaking 76-goal year of 1992-93. He’s the NHL’s highest-scoring Finn ever, and one of the game’s best-loved superstars.

Selanne’s “me” time, however, goes on hold this week for four days, because the Anaheim Ducks have begun a celebration of his career that will culminate with Teemu Tribute night Sunday when the Winnipeg Jets visit. The ceremony will include the raising of his No. 8 jersey to the rafters at Honda Center.

Today, Selanne had to go back to sharing himself, graciously granting the Free Press 45 minutes of his time to sit and chat about his career and his life, past, present and future.

“Obviously my free slot, free time is between 8 and 3,” Selanne said in today’s interview. “We drive our daughter to school. Our two boys are driving so my third one goes with them. And I play either golf or tennis or both, then 3 o’clock life pretty much starts with the kids, hobbies and the homework and stuff.

“I’m really enjoying every day. Obviously, for so many years playing with the schedule and the disciplined life and everything. And now when you don’t have it, I’m really enjoying it. Every morning. Plus my body has been feeling great. Obviously the older you get, like the last couple of years, after the games, next morning you took a couple of steps and tried to find the sore spots. No more of that.

“I really enjoy it. So far, I’m actually surprised. The game itself, I haven’t missed much at all. Obviously my teammates, and the locker-room life and some dinners and stuff.

“The game? I played enough.”

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We’ll have a full story on Selanne in Friday’s edition and our complete interview package, including video and photos, will appear in Saturday’s edition of the Free Press.

tim.campbell@freepress.mb.ca