Defenseman Kevin Shattenkirk, who won a Stanley Cup with the Tampa Bay Lightning in 2020, is retiring after 14 seasons in the NHL.
Shattenkirk shared the news in a statement released by the NHL Players’ Association on Tuesday.
The 35-year-old, from New Rochelle, New York, played in 952 regular-season games with seven teams, and also made 91 playoff appearances. He had been unsigned since last season, where he scored six goals and 18 assists in 61 games with the Boston Bruins.
“I can proudly say that I have accomplished most of my career goals. 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,” Shattenkirk said.
“What makes me even prouder when I reflect back on my career, are the countless friendships that I have made along the way. … Thank you to all my teammates, it was an honor to play with all of you.”
Shattenkirk was drafted 14th overall by Colorado in the 2007 draft and made his NHL debut with the Avalanche in 2010-11. He was then traded to St. Louis that season, where he played for more than six seasons. During that time, he was selected to represent the U.S. in the 2014 Sochi Olympics and earned an All-Star game selection in 2015.
Shattenkirk’s most famous goal came in the 2020 Stanley Cup Final when he scored in overtime to give Tampa Bay a 5-4 win over Dallas in Game 4. Tampa Bay went on to win the series in Game 6. He had joined the Lightning after his contract with the New York Rangers was bought out the previous summer.
He also played for Washington, the New York Rangers, and Anaheim. His best statistical season came in 2016-17, when he finished with 56 points, including 13 goals, playing for both St. Louis and Washington.
In his career, he finished with 103 goals and 381 assists for 484 points.
Off the ice, Shattenkirk was also influential as a member of the NHLPA executive board and the NHL Player Inclusion Coalition.
During college, he was part of Boston University’s 2009 NCAA championship team.
“I never knew hockey would take me this far,” Shattenkirk said. “This game has had a dramatic impact in developing me into the man I am today.”
