Fife Flyers fans rose to their feet to salute Danny Stewart at the Elite League play-off finals at Nottingham.
It was a touching tribute to the man nicknamed Stewy who has decided his body has received enough punishment and he is to retire.
The Canadian has been a fixture at the Fife Ice Arena for the past five seasons and Stewart has played a major part in shaping the current club.
He said: “I did not think it was fair to the team, myself and my family to go through a season if I was not 100 per cent.
“And I couldn’t go through another summer of preparing for another full season.”
Stewart confirmed his decision within hours of Fife losing 6-0 to Cardiff Devils in the third/fourth place play-off during the Elite League Finals at Nottingham’s National Ice Centre last weekend.
He said: “I’ve had a great run. I’ve met a lot of great people, worked with some great people and even met my finance through hockey.
“I could not be more happy with what hockey has given me and, hopefully, I have given something back.
“It is never an easy decision (to retire) and it is something I’ve been thinking about since Christmas.
“I’ve been waking up in pain and I have to look to my long-term health.”
Stewart first arrived in Britain in 2006 season to play for Coventry Blaze for four seasons and during that time won three league titles, the Knockout Cup and Challenge Cup.
He has played 258 games in the blue and gold of the Flyers, scoring 52 goals and assisting in 85 other strikes.
Stewart added: “This is a great club and organisation from the ownership down with Tom Muir and Jack Wishart and I really appreciate Todd (Dutiaume) bringing me in season after season and giving me a huge role in coaching.
“I thank them all and I’ve had a good run.”