Newest signing Tom Parisi has informed the Devils that he is retiring to pursue a career outside of hockey.

25-year-old Parisi arrived on Sunday and skated Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday with the team, but informed Andrew Lord on Wednesday that his head and heart were not in it anymore.

“I want to apologise to the Devils Organisation and their fans for doing this, but my heart is not into hockey anymore.

“It isn’t anything to do with the team or the league or the city, I just want to move on outside of hockey.

“I should not have signed with the Devils without being 100% committed to the team, so I am sorry and I wish them well for the season.”

Pictured below: Coach Andrew Lord who is "shocked" at Parisi's departure.

Devils coach Andrew Lord spoke about the departure of Parisi:

“I am shocked, that is the only way to describe this.

“He just arrived on Sunday and he seemed like he was really looking forward to getting things going and a fresh start after a couple difficult seasons in the AHL where he didn’t enjoy the game all that much.

“I was really looking forward to the opportunity to get him excited about hockey again.

“He asked to speak to me Wednesday afternoon and told me that he just didn’t want to play hockey anymore and that the last couple of years have worn him out.”

Lord is still confident in this year’s squad and is preparing as normal for two pre-season games this weekend and the start of the Champions Hockey League next week.

“I’m still really happy with the recruitment and our overall team and I believe we are in good shape going forward.”