T.J. Hensick reached the pinnacle of his career when he competed alongside NHL legends Peter Forsberg and Joe Sakic, but the Walleye forward is having as much fun as he has ever had this season in Toledo.

The 32-year-old veteran has competed in more than 750 professional games, including 112 in the NHL. Hensick also enjoyed a productive college career at the University of Michigan.

The Michigan native then played for the Colorado Avalanche and St. Louis Blues. There were five-star hotels and world-class travel along the way, all while playing in the sport’s most hallowed venues in front of huge crowds.

But now the center believes he has come full circle, playing the sport at a high level for the ECHL’s Toledo Walleye, and simply loving it.

“It’s been fun. I love being around these guys. It’s stress-free,” Hensick said. “The coaching staff makes it fun. I’ve been around long enough in pro sports and it can be challenging, demanding. It can be a grind. But here you want to be at the rink every day. They make it fun. They played and they know and understand the game.

“It’s an easy-going group. Everyone enjoys being around each other. It’s still a job and we take it very seriously, but it’s different. It’s been fun.”

Hensick’s game has flourished for a Walleye team that also has gotten off to a hot start (14-2-2). Hensick leads the ECHL in power-play points (12). He is tied for fifth in the ECHL in scoring with 25 points (6 goals and 19 assists) in 18 games. He also ranks second in the league in helpers. But Hensick deflects the credit to his teammates.

“We’ve got a good mix here,” he said. “We have older guys, younger guys, and guys who are in between. We have great goaltending, good special teams, and we have some shutdown defensemen.”

Toledo opens a busy stretch of four games in five days on Wednesday when the Walleye host Cincinnati in a special School Celebration Day morning game at 10:35 a.m. at the Huntington Center. Toledo then hosts Tulsa on Friday and Wheeling on Saturday before playing at Brampton on Sunday.

Hensick had played the past seven seasons in the American Hockey League. In his career, Hensick has skated in 630 games at the higher AHL level, and has racked up 568 points (166 G, 402 A) while making the AHL All-Star game four times.

The native of Howell, Mich., played in California last season, appearing in 60 games for the Ontario Reign. In the off-season, Hensick said he came to a bit of a crossroads.

“Over the summer, I wasn’t sure where my career would go. I contemplated retirement,” he said. “When you get to be my age, it pops into your head. I’ve had a good run. I’ve been around the block. But I still feel I can play. Now I’m surrounded by good players. It’s a talented group.”

Most importantly, Hensick said the opportunity to play in Toledo afforded him the chance to spend more time in Michigan with his wife, Emily, and their 3-year-old son, William.

“It’s been an easy transition,” Hensick said. “Living at home is priceless. I get to spend time playing with my son. It’s been great for my wife. It’s nice to have my parents and my family at the games [at the Huntington Center]. The hardest part is trying to get tickets for everyone.”

The 5-foot-10, 190-pound forward said he also was weighing offers from AHL and European teams. Hensick, who played one season in Sweden, said a connection with former Walleye player Derek Nesbitt helped him land in Toledo.

“I wasn’t too excited to go to Europe. The money is good, but I wanted to stay in North America,” Hensick said. “Nessy knows Watty [Walleye coach Dan Watson]. I reached out and we chatted. We finally pulled the trigger, and I’m glad I did.”

Watson said he stayed in contact with Hensick throughout the off-season before the deal was struck four days before the season opener.

“Our roster was good at the time, but his signing took it to another level,” Watson said. “T.J. brings a wealth of knowledge, experience, and leadership with him. He’s been an excellent addition to our group both as a player and a person. His resume brings instant credibility, but so does his on-ice work ethic and habits.”

Hensick’s impressive resume includes 38 points in the NHL. The speedy, smart, creative forward had 12 goals and 26 assists while playing in parts of three seasons for the Avalanche (2007-10) and then with the Blues (2010-11).

“You’re treated like a rock star,” Hensick said. “You stay in five-star hotels. The Ritz-Carlton. You eat at five-star restaurants. They want to get the best performance from you, so they do all the little things for you.”

As a rookie in 2007-08, he had six goals to go along with five assists in 31 games for Colorado.

“Playing in the NHL, you’re playing against the best of the best,” he said. “It’s something you appreciate more the older you get. I was in the same locker room with Sakic. The skill level he had was second to none. He’s one of the greatest players to ever play the game. Forsberg was the best player I’ve ever seen. It was a pretty unique situation.”

Hensick vividly remembers the 2008 Western Conference semifinals when the Avalanche were swept by the rival Detroit Red Wings.

“I remember going through the handshake line,” Hensick said. “That was pretty cool being a huge Red Wings fan growing up. I shook hands with [Nicklas] Lidstrom, [Henrik] Zetterberg, and [Pavel] Datsyuk. They went on to win the Stanley Cup. It’s something I will appreciate even more when I’m older. It’s something you work for and to actually get that chance is huge. For me, anything after playing in college would have been icing on the cake.”

Hensick averaged 1.35 points per game at Michigan. As a senior, Hensick had 69 points (23 G, 46 A), which led the nation and made him a finalist for the Hobey Baker Award in 2007.

“I can’t put it into words. Playing for [legendary coach Red Berenson] was the best four years of my career,” Hensick said. “Red is a hockey icon. It’s a different feeling walking into Yost [Ice Arena], playing for that university and that fan base. I cherish those years.”

Hensick said his first 18 games in Toledo — playing once again before passionate, capacity crowds — has him considering postponing his retirement.

“We play the game to win it. I really like this group,” he said. “This team has a chance to have a long playoff run. I can’t wait to see where we go with it.

“My situation is different now. I love having my family around and living at home, for the most part. I was fortunate to play in the NHL. I feel fortunate to be playing in Toledo.”