Shane Doan has made the decision to retire from the NHL after 21 seasons.

The former Arizona Coyotes captain announced he’s stepping away from the game in a first-person letter he wrote to fans in the Arizona Republic on Wednesday

Doan, 40, played his entire 21-year career with the Coyotes franchise, dating back to before the franchise moved from Winnipeg.

“I could not fathom at the time that I would end up playing in Arizona for the next 21 years, raise a family and call this place home,” Doan wrote. “But that’s exactly what happened. And that’s why this has been one of the hardest decisions I’ve ever had to make. I’m retiring from the NHL.”

Doan, an outspoken Christian, says prayer with his wife was one of the major factors in knowing that it was time to step away from the game he’s played since he was a little boy.

“My wife, Andrea, and I have prayed about this,” Doan wrote, “and I truly believe this is His timing. I have peace, and I’m so thankful for that.”

In an interview with CBN in 2013, Doan talked about the hard work traits instilled in him by his parents, who run a Christian ranch for young campers in Alberta, Canada.

“My Dad had a great saying, he’d say ‘if you enjoy hard work, everyday is a holiday,’ and so I’m going to enjoy everything I do because that’s one of the verses that my parents drilled into me as a boy, “Everything you do, do heartily as the Lord and not unto man.’ (Colossians 3:23) and that gave me an understanding of the Bible that I think is genuine and is all about truth.”

Doan believes the example of leadership we should all look at is to the Bible and Jesus Christ.

“He is, ‘I AM.’ He’s everything. And yet, he took the time to wash the disciples feet at the last supper. He came as a servant. That to me is an example for his love for us and the thing that I think makes people want to follow Him and that’s what a leader is.”

Best wishes to Shane and his family in retirement. You can read his entire retirement statement here.