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Through the years, I have so many wonderful memories of playing with the Red Wings: winning four Stanley Cups, scoring big goals, going into battle every night side by side with my teammates, playing with every ounce of effort I could muster.

It's been a great honor for me to be a player for the Detroit Red Wings, to play for an Original Six franchise. I know I'm far from perfect, but I learned a lot.

But a funny thing happened four years later. I was invited to play for an alumni team against the Red Wings.

I love Chicago, but I didn't think I had enough soul to be a Cubs fan.

I think how Chicago plays a role in my life - it had such a role in my youth and the decisions that I made as a kid and formulated who I am as an artist early on.

I love Chicago.

That first year in Chicago was one of the most memorable in my career. Getting traded rejuvenated me, and I had something to prove. I wanted to show them what I could do.

I played in three countries. I played in two World Series. But I never found anything to match the joy and the laughter those years with the Eagles brought me. The city and county loved us.

I've enjoyed my time in the American League, the fans of Southern California and other friendships.

Soccer was my first love, and I enjoyed playing on the left wing until a groin injury forced me out of the game in 2008.