I kept picturing that scene even as we gathered in the locker room for the game that night against the Pittsburgh Penguins. I wasn't the only one who'd seen the shots of all the fans; it was all we could talk about in the room. Before the playoffs even began, we, as a team, set goals we wanted to accomplish, even outside of winning the Cup. Right under that obvious one at the top of the list was to unite and inspire the city of Nashville. We put the list up in our room and looked at it each day.

That afternoon on TV, I'd seen a drone shot of Broadway and the area surrounding Bridgestone Arena that showed all the people gathered for Game 6 of the Stanley Cup Final. I gasped. How was there that many people there? And all to support us? It was almost incomprehensible.

But the scene outside blew us away. We couldn't take credit for it or even claim it was what we expected. All of us were looking at each other and going, "holy cow, this is something we'll never forget."

The way the city was behind us was unbelievable, and that's what makes the memory such a high - but also bittersweet. Can you imagine if we had a parade down Broadway?

It's moments like that which I know I'll miss. This job I've been able to have for a majority of my life is so much fun. To help create that entertainment and to see the joy we can bring to people is such a unique and exciting opportunity. I'll miss my teammates, my coaches and the game itself.

This is the hardest decision I've ever had to make, but I know I've made the right one. I've decided to retire from the NHL.

I kept praying for peace about the next step in my life. A peace that said this is God's will for your future. A peace that said whether or not this was the right time to walk away.

I don't believe it came in a single instance or some aha moment, but as time passed, I gradually became certain that it was right for me to retire. I believe God gave me the ability to play hockey, and I was helped by dozens of individuals along the way, so it's not just up to me on when it's time to say goodbye...

Note: To read the rest of Mike Fisher's letter on Tennessean.com, click here.