"The time has come for my next chapter. When I was a kid I never thought I had a chance to make a living playing hockey. There was my love for the game. I loved being a part of a team, I loved competing, I loved the next chance to win, I loved the challenge, I loved the escape of immersing myself in the moment, I loved the feeling of belonging, I loved the confidence it gave me, I loved to prove people wrong. As I reflect on the journey, the 1001 games, the 2 Stanley Cups, the opportunity to captain a Canadian city, what I'm most grateful for is the people." Part of Ladd's statement said.
He went on to thank the teams he spent his time with, "The Carolina Hurricanes, Chicago Blackhawks, Atlanta Thrashers, Winnipeg Jets, New York Islanders and Arizona Coyotes for allowing me to represent your organization and cities. Friends in all those places who gave my family and I community. The fans who are the fuel of our game and created so many amazing moment like the 1st game back in the Peg, the anthem at the madhouse, and standing for an entire game 7 in Carolina. Your energy and passion created those moment."
