John Scott retires after improbable run to NHL all-star tournament

Former NHL tough guy John Scott, whose roller-coaster ride to the league’s all-star weekend was a major storyline of the 2015-16 season, has announced his retirement.

“It has been a hell of a ride. But I’m done,” Scott said in an article published Wednesday in The Players’ Tribune.

Scott made headlines last season when he was voted into the NHL all-star tournament even though he was a journeyman enforcer. He played for the Arizona Coyotes for part of the season and still served as Pacific Division captain despite being traded to the Montreal Canadiens and demoted to the AHL.

Scott had two goals during the mid-season showcase in Nashville and was named MVP of the three-on-three tournament.

The NHL has since taken steps to avoid a similar situation with new fan voting rules.

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Scott, an Edmonton native, played over 10 seasons with Minnesota, Chicago, the New York Rangers, Buffalo, San Jose, Arizona and Montreal.

In 285 career NHL games, he had five goals, 11 assists and 544 penalty minutes.

The Canadian Press