'Retirement thoughts did cross Numminen's mind during the NHL lockout that wiped out the 2004-05 season. He toyed with the idea for a while, but his mind-set changed when he could find no good reason for hanging up his skates just yet. "What else was I going to do? Why shouldn't I do something that I want to do and that I enjoy? If you don't love what it is you are doing, then there is no way you can go on with if for long. But for me, playing is fun", beams Numminen.'