peak of the sport numerous times in Edmonton, No.

Kevin Martin, a Canadian curling star whose career highlights include an Olympic gold medal and a world championship, will soon throw his last rock. Bills Jerseys China . The Edmonton skip announced his retirement Friday at the Grand Slam of Curlings Players Championship in Summerside, P.E.I. Martin plans to finish the event before becoming a spokesman for the series. The decision to retire came after the Canadian Olympic curling trials in December when Martins rink failed to book a ticket to the Sochi Games. Martin had make an official announcement when the season was over, but that changed when news surfaced last month that second Marc Kennedy and lead Ben Hebert were joining national champion Kevin Koes rink. But retirement has been on the 47-year-olds mind since winning gold at the 2010 Vancouver Games. "I guess when it comes to sports you kind of know when its time," said Martin. "I thought about retiring after Vancouver and we ended up deciding to play and try to get to Sochi and trained extremely hard in the last year and came close. But (Brad) Jacobs ended up winning, which is great, but that was it. "Im not trying for another four-year term. Right after the trials, thats when I told the team and I phoned my sponsors. Everyone knew, I just didnt want to announce anything at the time. Thats not really proper." The affable Martin, nicknamed "The Bear," has been a powerhouse in Canadian curling since making his junior debut in 1984. He won a Canadian junior curling championship with Alberta in 1985 and never looked back. He leaves the sport with a glittering resume that includes a world championship in 2008, a silver medal at the 2002 Salt Lake City Games and four gold medals at the Brier. He also holds the record for Grand Slam titles with 17, including seven Players Championships. Martins departure from the sport wont coincide with a drop in results. He said it was important to end his career at a high point. "Absolutely. Its really important to me that I wasnt one of those guys that, you know, youre sliding down the hill there. I just dont want to be that guy," he said. "You know the trials, I felt so good after the trials. Its about the best Ive ever played I think. About a 93 per cent average for the week. "So I was really good. So I was happy, not happy to not win, but that it was a good strong effort because Im certainly not waiting around four more years for sure." Martin conceded his career highlight was his perfect run to gold in Vancouver. But a 20-year-old memory also stood out for Martin, who recalled rallying to beat Ed Werenich in the 1994 Players Championship. He remembers the losses, too. Losing out in the 2002 Olympic final stung, but Martin considers the bronze-medal match against the United States at the 1992 Albertville Games as his biggest defeat. "I dont really think we should have lost that game," he said. "And now of course, all these years later, which is many years, and I think to myself, geez, win that game and I would have had won one of each -- a gold, a silver and a bronze. Theres not many people who have that." Martin, who began playing at age seven, also has the benefit of being able to reflect on a sport that has evolved significantly during his career. Television time and corporate sponsorship have increased, ice conditions have improved, the international game is far more competitive and the players, according to Martin, look more like athletes. "The conditions have changed dramatically, and therefore the training and the precision of the athlete is completely changed as well. Its just not the same," he said. "Its so much better now because the precisions there. The athletes are in phenomenal shape." The demands of the ice are almost over for Martin. Hes looking forward to the broadcast booth, representing the sport and taking a break from practising two or three hours every day. Getting to spend more time with his three children will also be a welcome change. "It was pretty interesting for them today, because with the announcement coming tonight they dont usually phone and talk to me during curling events of course. It was a pretty big day for the Martin family, for sure." Cheap Bills Jerseys Authentic . Sure, Josh Browns 45-yard field goal on the third drive of overtime lifted the New York Giants to a 23-20 win over Detroit on Sunday. But the Lions (7-8) dropped themselves out of the NFC North race by losing five of their last six games, blowing fourth-quarter leads in each setback. Wholesale Bills Jerseys . Less than 24 hours after the Wolves lost at home to the Mavericks, 100-98, NBA president of basketball operations Rod Thorn announced Tuesday that Kevin Love was fouled on his right arm by Shawn Marion in the closing seconds and should have been awarded two free throws. http://www.cheapbillsjerseysauthentic.com/?tag=authentic-ed-oliver-jersey .Y. - Lou Williams scored 21 points and the Toronto Raptors beat New York 81-76 on Monday night in the Knicks preseason home opener.Now that the NHL has agreed to pay Wayne Gretzky money owed to him by former Phoenix Coyotes owner Jerry Moyes - around $7 to $8 million - The Great One may be interested in taking a front office job somewhere in the league. The question is, where is he most likely to go? An obvious choice is the Edmonton Oilers. Gretzky won four Stanley Cups with the Oilers from 1979-1988 before “the trade” sent him packing to sunny California to play with the Los Angeles Kings. Reuniting with Edmonton, a team thats struggled for a few years now, might be a match made in heaven. On the other hand, already having reached the peak of the sport numerous times in Edmonton, No. 99 might decide to stay close to his hometown. The Brantford, Ont. native was rumoured to be joining the Toronto Maple Leafs last summer. Being part of the group trying to bring the Cup back to Ontarios capital for the first time in 46 years might be too hard to resist. Tim Leiweke, President and CEO of Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment, has already made some big statements since taking over the job this past summer and hiring Gretzky would definitelyy make a splash. Doug Flutie Jersey. TSN Hockey Insider, Darren Dreger, thinks Gretzky would be willing to listen if the Leafs engaged him in conservation about joining MLSE. Then theres the big stage and intrigue of the Big Apple, working with the New York Rangers. Gretzky retired as a member of the Rangers in 1999 and going back might be in the cards. Los Angeles - another former team - could also be an option. His family, including his celebrity daughter Paulina, lives there; which could be a factor. Gretzky attended a Washington Capitals game last month, sitting with billionaire owner Ted Leonsis. Gretzky has no ties with the team, but with Leonsis having very deep pockets, money might be an intriguing factor. With the Phoenix Coyotes now having stable ownership, the familiarity of the organization might interest The Great One who coached there from 2005-2009. Maybe hell decide to go somewhere no one expects, or maybe, hell continue to enjoy retired life and spend time with his family. So we ask: Which NHL club is Wayne Gretzky most likely to go to? As always, its Your! Call. Wholesale USA Soccer Jerseys discount uswnt jersey Wholesale AC Milan Jerseys Wholesale Arsenal Jerseys Wholesale A.S. 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