Brad Rempel-Imagn Images
Stanley Cup champion Kevin Shattenkirk announced his retirement from the NHL on Tuesday.
“After 14 amazing years in the National Hockey League, I have decided to retire,” Shattenkirk wrote in a statement released to social media on Tuesday. “I never knew hockey would take me this far. This game has had a dramatic impact in developing me into the man I am today.”
Drafted 14th overall in 2007 by the Colorado Avalanche, Shattenkirk played 14 seasons in the NHL. The defenseman skated in 952 regular-season games and 91 playoff contests in his career across seven franchises.
“I can proudly say that I have accomplished most of my career goals,” Shattenkirk said. “I scored big goals, including a Stanley Cup final overtime goal, played in All-Star Games, represented my country in the Olympics and won a Stanley Cup.”
The St. Louis Blues were his home for the longest of all his teams. Shattenkirk played there for seven years after the Colorado Avalanche traded the then-rookie in a package for Erik Johnson. He played 425 games for the Blues, scoring 258 points for the club.
During his time with the Blues, the team made a deep run into the playoffs, advancing to the Western Conference final before losing to the San Jose Sharks in six games.
His time with the Blues ended in 2017 when the club sent him to the Washington Capitals.
The 2016-17 campaign ended up being a career year for the D-man. Before the trade, he had 42 points in 61 games for St. Louis. He added another 12 points in 19 games for Washington, totalling a career-high 56 points in 80 games. Shattenkirk added another six points in 13 playoff games.
With the help of Shattenkirk on the back end, the Capitals won the Presidents’ Trophy. However, they were eliminated in the second round of the playoffs by the Pittsburgh Penguins.
Despite a few frustrating playoff campaigns for the New Rochelle, N.Y. native, Shattenkirk eventually earned a Stanley Cup championship with the Tampa Bay Lightning. It was the 2019-20 bubble playoffs when the COVID-19-affected post-season was hosted in Edmonton’s Rogers Place and Toronto’s Scotiabank Arena. He scored 13 points in 25 games for the Bolts.
Last season, Shattenkirk scored 24 points in 61 games with the Boston Bruins. In the playoffs, the Bruins made it to the second round before losing to the eventual Cup champions, the Florida Panthers. Shattenkirk played six games and recorded one assist.
Shattenkirk retired as a free agent, scoring 484 points in his career and 48 playoff points.
“Thank you to all of my great general managers and coaches for treating me with respect and teaching me some great life lessons along the way,” Shattenkirk said. “I could never forget about the men and women behind the scenes who worked tirelessly to make sure that I had everything I needed to be successful. To every equipment manager, team services member and athletic trainer, thank you for dedicating your time to me and my family. Also to the public relations and community service teams for creating opportunities for me to showcase my personality to the fans.”
On the international stage, Shattenkirk won a silver medal in 2005-06 at the U-17 World Hockey Challenge and a silver medal while captaining Team USA at the World Men’s Under-18s in 2006-07. He also represented the USA at the 2014 Olympics in Sochi, recording three assists in six games, as well as the 2011 World Championship, where he had a goal and three points in seven games.
Shattenkirk finished his statement by thanking his brothers, parents, wife, children and the fans who have supported him.
“I am super excited for the future, and what this next chapter has in store for me, but the memories of the past 14 years will last a lifetime.”
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