Veteran defenseman Mark Borowiecki has decided to retire from hockey after playing more than 450 games over parts of 12 NHL seasons.

Borowiecki, 33, announced his decision in an Instagram post Wednesday, more than six months since his last professional game, when he was stretchered off the ice after an awkward hit into the boards during a game against Philadelphia on Oct. 22. He was hospitalized, went on injured reserve and did not play again.

"I am very excited for a new chapter in the hockey world, and I'm looking forward to finding an opportunity to help grow the game and help other players develop," he wrote.