Toronto Maple Leafs Tie Domi, centre, hugs Dave 'Tiger' Williams, left, as Doug Gilmour looks on during a pre-game ceremony in Toronto on March 4. Domi was honoured by the Leafs for playing in his 1,000th game in the NHL.
(Aaron Harris/CP)

"I love hockey, I love the Toronto Maple Leafs, this is my home," Domi said, his voice cracking with emotion during a packed news conference at the Air Canada Centre. "There were other interests, but I couldn't see myself wearing another jersey other than the blue and white."

Domi said he has taken a job with TSN.

"I may leaving the ice, but I'm not leaving hockey," Domi said. "I am excited and nervous in my new role, but I promise to bring the same person that had the passion, dedication and the enthusiasm to the broadcast arena that I delivered to the ice."

The 36-year-old Domi was something of a hockey dinosaur as the role of enforcer decreased while speed and skill have been emphasized in the new NHL.

The Leafs bought out the remaining year of his contract during the offseason. They are paying him $833,000 over two years, two-thirds of the $1.25-million he was owed.

"We want to thank Tie for his many years of service to the organization," Leafs GM John Ferguson said in June while announcing the buyout. "He became a fan favourite for a reason."

Domi spent the final 11 seasons of his career in Toronto. He's fourth all-time in NHL penalty minutes with just over 3,500.

Domi recorded just five goals last season. With fighting down and offence favoured in the new NHL, the Leafs decided it was time to cut Domi loose.

He played 1,020 career games in the league with the Leafs, New York Rangers and Winnipeg Jets.