Ex-Union forward Hutchins hangs up skates

by Ryan Fay

Former Union forward Jeff Hutchins took to Twitter on Sunday to announce that he's hanging up the skates after 13 seasons in professional hockey.

Hutchins

Hutchins started his pro career with stops in the American Hockey League and the ECHL, but he spent the last 10 years in the Elite Ice Hockey League, the top circuit in the United Kingdom. He was with the Dundee Stars the last four seasons, the past three as a player/coach. He guided the team to the Gardiner Conference title in 2013-14. The two sides mutually parted ways in May.

"After 13 years playing professional hockey, I am hanging up the skates," Hutchins tweeted. "I owe everything to hockey. I am going to miss playing pro hockey. I have met many great people in the game and enjoyed my time. To the @officialEIHL, thanks for having me for ten years. The league has come a long way."

Hutchins, 37, plans on staying involved with the game overseas. He was recently named the head coach of the China Dragons, one of nine teams in the Asia League Ice Hockey.

"One door closes and another opens," he tweeted. "Happy to be heading to China to help the China Dragons develop their organization. Also looking forward to [helping] the Chinese National Team climb the world rankings."

Hutchins skated for Union from 1998-2002. He posted 23 goals and 40 assists in 109 career games and served as an alternate captain as a senior. He was believed to be the last Union player from the 1990's to still be playing pro hockey.

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