On Saturday, Philadelphia fans will say goodbye to Tom Marechek.
The flashy veteran announced Tuesday that he planned to retire after this season. He will suit up for his last home game as a Wing in Saturday night's home finale.
Marechek, 36, who has spent all 12 years of his professional indoor career with the Wings, will be honored with a pregame ceremony before Philadelphia tries to stay alive in the playoff chase.
The Wings must win the matchup against the first-place Toronto Rock to have a shot at postseason play.
Playoffs or no playoffs, Marechek said it was time to close out his long ride with the Wings.
Marechek, dubbed "Hollywood" by the fans because of his glitzy playing style, said he knew at the beginning of the season that this campaign could be his last because something just didn't seem the same inside him.
"I was pondering on the idea for probably over a year now, and I just decided it's time," he said. "I told myself a year ago that once I lose that 100 percent hunger in my stomach, then it's time to hang the stick up."
When Marechek unlaces his sneakers and takes off his jersey for the last time in Philadelphia, he will know he's signing out as one of the most productive players in the team's history.
Marechek, who traveled from his home in Baltimore to Philadelphia for more than a decade, will retire as the Wings' all-time leader in points with 751, in goals with 383, in assists with 368, and in penalty minutes with 178.
He helped the Wings win four league championships and starred in all three NLL All-Star Games.
http://www.philly.com/mld/inquirer/sports/11329372.htm
