Halak retires after 17-year NHL career
Longtime NHL goaltender Jaroslav Halak officially announced his retirement from hockey on Friday, he told Dennik Sport's Tomas Prokop.
Halak played 17 seasons in the NHL, winning the William M. Jennings Trophy twice, finishing top-10 in Vezina Trophy voting twice, and making one All-Star appearance.
A ninth-round pick by Montreal in 2003, Halak suited up for the Canadiens, St. Louis Blues, Washington Capitals, New York Islanders, Boston Bruins, Vancouver Canucks, and New York Rangers.
Halak posted a 295-189-69 record in 581 career games with a .915 save percentage, a 2.50 goals-against average, and 53 shutouts. He also registered a .919 save percentage in 39 career playoff games, including a memorable run with the Canadiens to the 2010 Eastern Conference Final, where he earned the starting job over Carey Price.
He also represented Slovakia on the international stage numerous times, playing in two World Junior Championships, two Olympics, and three World Championships. Halak also led Team Europe to a second-place finish at the 2016 World Cup, posting a .941 save percentage in six games.
Halak, who turned 40 in May, last suited up in a professional game with the Rangers in 2022-23.