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MY JOURNEY IS COMPLETE. BOYS AND PIZZA

I’ve never heard an athlete announce his retirement before the last game was even played. But I’ve never met many hockey players like Kimmo Timonen.

While we could all safely assume that this Stanley Cup Final was the last kick at the can for the affable Chicago Blackhawks defenceman, he made it official on Saturday morning.

“I’m really trying to enjoy these last few days because let’s be honest: It’s five days left in my career,” Timonen said before Game 5 against the Tampa Bay Lightning.

It’s been one heck of a ride. Now we wait to see how the last chapter plays out.

The fact the 40-year-old is even in this position is a minor miracle, especially after blood clots were found in his lower right leg and both lungs last August. That left him with the difficult – and potentially fatal – decision to launch a comeback.

The main reason he did? To win a championship. He has been a bridesmaid throughout his decorated career, losing in the Olympic final, world championship final and one previous Stanley Cup Final.

The risk is so great that his wife, Johanna, refuses to watch the games. She simply checks in with a text afterwards.

“Every time when you get blood clots in your lungs there’s a really good chance it’s going to happen again,” said Timonen. “That’s what they are afraid of. Usually the second time is worse than the first. So we just tried to eliminate the chance that that would happen.

“It’s an every-day process and it will be an every-day process when the hockey ends.”

Timonen has been a good soldier for the Blackhawks, sitting out the first three games of this series without complaint before returning to the lineup on Wednesday. He even rang a shot off the crossbar in the third period.

There have been some games during these playoffs where he’s barely played, but in a young man’s league he understands why coach Joel Quenneville has made that decision.

“It’s been tough and frustrating at times, but I knew it’s going to be a struggle,” said Timonen. “We have to remember I’m 40 years old and I didn’t skate for eight months. I didn’t put my skates on for eight months, which is probably the biggest thing. …

“I have two weeks (where) I skated by myself and then I found myself in Chicago and playing a game. It was kind of unreal.”

That came after the Philadelphia Flyers facilitated a trade to give him one final opportunity. Given what he’s been through with his health, Timonen seems to be enjoying every minute.

A couple days ago he noted that the Finnish media weren’t there to speak with him and suggested it might be a “hangover day.” On Saturday, he remarked that they looked “sober.”

Both quips were immediately followed by a belly laugh that shook the room.

Timonen was originally selected in the 10th round of the 1993 draft – it only runs seven rounds now – and has played 1,108 regular-season games and another 103 in the post-season. He either has one, two or three remaining before saying goodbye.

He hopes to do it with the Stanley Cup in his hands.

“I’m living in a dream,” said Timonen. “Where I left in August and I’m standing here, it’s crazy. It’s crazy what I went through. There’s a risk involved obviously, but I wanted to do it.

“It was totally up to me and I wanted to take that chance, to have one more chance.”

One more chance to leave with no regrets.

Good.

Truth.