The goat has returned. Tom Brady is BACK!

EVERYBODY STAY CALM! *Michael Scott voice.*

Tom Brady shook the football world on Sunday with the big announcement via Twitter. The news
comes just two months after he initially retired at the end of his 22nd season.

 

Pretty legendary if you ask us! While the move is rare, there are plenty of players in the NHL that have followed in the exact same footsteps.

In light of the GOAT returning to the field, here are three hockey legends that retired and came back to the NHL:

Gordie Howe
After 25 years with the Detroit Red Wings, Gordie Howe decided to hang up his skates in 1971… for a hot second. Four Stanley Cups, six Art Ross trophies and Hart trophies just wasn't enough to keep Mr. Hockey away. Why stop there when you have the chance to play with… your kids? In 1973, Howe’s sons Marty and Mark were making their pro debut with the Houston Aeros of the WHA. That was just enough to make Howe get back into the game!
 

Guy Lafleur
One of the biggest shocks that the hockey world has ever seen: Guy Lafleur’s first retirement and unretirement. First off, Lafleur announced in the middle of the season that he was done playing hockey. The decision came after only putting up two goals in 19 games - something he wasn’t used to. The Canadiens star revealed that a big reason why he left the game was due to the pressure of exceeding those expectations. Lafleur surprised all even more when he came back. He spent THREE years away from the NHL before he decided to lace 'em back up again. In 1988, he was inducted in the Hockey Hall of Fame and joined the New York Rangers that same year.
 


Mario Lemieux
One of the toughest retirements to see in the NHL. Mario Lemieux left the game in 1997 after battling four seasons with cancer and heart problems, Lemieux was diagnosed with Hodgkin's disease, cancer of the lymph nodes in 1993. Prior to the diagnosis, the Montreal native dominated the league with two Stanley Cups, six Art Ross trophies, two Conn Smythes, and three Hart trophies. Immediately after his retirement, Lemieux was inducted in the Hockey Hall of fame. That wasn’t enough to stop him though. Forty-four months later and he returned to the ice with the Penguins! He went on to score 3 points in his first game back in the league!