Martin St. Louis announces retirement from NHL after 16 seasons
Martin St. Louis is hanging up his skates.
The veteran forward is retiring from the National Hockey League, the New York Rangers announced Thursday.
“I have been blessed to play for 16 years in the NHL; it has been an amazing ride." - @mstlouis_26 #NYR pic.twitter.com/E6sJMKkF4u
— New York Rangers (@NYRangers) July 2, 2015
The 40-year-old broke into the NHL as an undrafted free agent, initially given an opportunity to ply his trade as a member of the Calgary Flames.
It was with the Tampa Bay Lightning, however, that he found his game, putting together a resume that should be Hall of Fame-worthy. In 972 games with the club, he scored 365 goals and added 588 assists, winning two Art Ross Trophies (2004, 2013), a Hart Trophy (2004), and the Stanley Cup (2004).
He finished up his career with the Rangers, with whom he appeared in another Cup Final and went as far as the Eastern Conference Final this past season, after requesting a trade out of Tampa Bay in 2014.
All told, he recorded 1,033 points (391 goals, 642 assists) in 1,134 career regular-season games, and will now focus on his family.
"I have dedicated my life to being the best player I could be and now want to turn more of my focus to my three boys." - @mstlouis_26 #NYR
— New York Rangers (@NYRangers) July 2, 2015
St. Louis also won two Olympic gold medals as a member of Canada's men's hockey team, played in six NHL All-Star games, and was a three-time winner of the Lady Byng Trophy.