In a poetic way, it was the perfect place for a rambunctious kid from the hard-scrabble prairies of Western Canada to end his NHL career.

Calgary is one of the few outposts in the NHL where fighting and hitting still has some value. While most of the league’s teams increasingly have been finding ways over the past decade to squeeze 14-goal scorers onto their fourth line, the Flames and several of their Pacific Division rivals seemingly still have room for at least one player who will do more damage with his fists than his forehand shot.

Such was the case with Tanner Glass and the Flames in 2017-18.

The native of Regina, Saskatchewan, appeared in 16 games for the Flames that season and recorded 19 penalty minutes (along with zero points).

One of his final acts in the NHL was fighting former Oilers power forward Milan Lucic in retaliation for a hit on a Calgary teammate in March 2018.

A few months later, Glass was in a different place. A different continent, to be specific.

France.

The bottom-six forward who spent two seasons with the Penguins in 2012-14 opted to extend his playing career by joining the Boxers de Bordeaux of France’s Ligue Magnus.

Sure, plenty of former NHLers have tried to earn a couple of extra paychecks (or cheques) by going to Europe. But, usually, they will play in Switzerland’s NLA, Germany’s DEL or Russia’s KHL for that benefit.

The Ligue Magnus is hardly the most prominent (or lucrative) hockey league.

But the Dartmouth-educated Glass opted to join a team in southwestern France for reasons that extended beyond checks or cycling.

Culture.

“It was good,” Glass said by phone. “It was better than I thought it was going to be, to be honest. We had some ideas where we wanted to go. We wanted an international school for the kids and kind of a nice city. There were options in maybe higher leagues, but the city and the international school and some other things we had in mind weren’t great.

“So we decided to go to Bourdeau, France. It was great. It was the perfect situation for my family. We had an unbelievable time. A much more relaxed schedule, 44 games, which isn’t the grind that we have over here. And my wife and kids absolutely loved it. The people were great in France. I can’t say enough about my experience the last 12 months.”

This past offseason, Glass finally pulled the plug on his playing career at the age of 35. A ninth-round pick by the Florida Panthers in 2003, Glass lasted 11 seasons in the NHL and played in 527 career games.

Considering the draft no longer has a ninth round, Glass takes considerable pride in his NHL existence as a bottom-six forward who primarily was expected to block shots, hit and fight more often than he scored.

“Took the long road,” Glass said. “Played two years of junior after high school. Went to college, which was probably good for me. I don’t think I would have been ready to turn pro at 20, 21 years old as some of the (Western Hockey League) kids are. So I think the college road was good for me. Carved out my little niche. Proud of my career for sure.”

Glass embarked on a new vocation in June when he joined the New York Rangers as assistant director of player development. Based in Seattle, Glass keeps tabs on Rangers prospects on the western side of North America.

“Just had a good relationship with the management there and the coaches there in my time,” said Glass, who spent parts of three seasons with the Rangers after leaving the Penguins. “When I was in France, just kind of reached back out to (general manager) Jeff Gorton and (assistant general manager) Chris Drury to talk about any opportunities they may have on the other side of the game. This was a good fit. I’m really happy to be part of the Rangers organization. It’s such a great organization.”

Player development roles sometimes serve as “entry-level” positions for former players who might want to pursue coaching or management roles. Wild general manager Bill Guerin and Penguins assistant coach Mark Recchi served in player development roles after their playing days concluded.

Glass isn’t sure if a larger role is anything he has his sights set on. For now, he just wants to stay involved in the sport.

“Player development specifically, it’s an opportunity to help young players in the game,” Glass said. “The way I made it and the way I was able to stick around and some of the adversity that I went through and that nature, that led me to some experience that I think I can help young players.

“My interest right now is just helping the Rangers prospects move on and fulfill their potential. Whatever that leads to down the road, we’ll take it as it comes. But right now, I just wanted to stay in hockey first and foremost. Having an opportunity to be in development is something I think is right up my alley.”

Glass acknowledged the NHL has changed since he broke in. Players of his ilk aren’t nearly as in demand — if at all — compared to when joined the Panthers in 2007-08.

Still, he feels there is a place for his style of play, even if it’s in doses.

“When I look back, I joke that I was maybe the fourth or fifth toughest guy on my team when I came in,” Glass said. “I was more of a third- or fourth-line shot-blocker, penalty killer. When I left the league, I was maybe the third or fourth toughest player in the league and was a goon. Just the way you’re view changed. The way that type of player in the game was viewed changed. It was kind of a natural progression. I still think there’s a place for a gritty player, for a player who is willing to do the little things and be a good teammate.”

A skeptic might suggest Glass’ minimal offensive exploits as a player would limit what lessons he could pass onto an NHL hopeful at a time when the league stresses skills over grit. But considering Glass lasted more than a decade in the NHL despite modest beginnings, he would appear to be well versed in how a prospect can maximize his opportunity.

“One of the things I try to focus on our kids is keep your focus small, keep your focus on being as good as you can every day,” Glass said. “Going out there every day and practicing with a purpose. There’s so just much to think about, it can become overwhelming for kids if they make the scope big. Just whittle it down to the little things. Make sure you’re sleeping well, eating well, going to your practices with a purpose and keeping your focus small.”

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