Former Tampa Bay Lightning and New York Rangers forward Ryan Callahan chose to hang up his skates on Wednesday.
“Let’s make it official. I didn’t play last year due to a back injury, but I’m officially announcing my retirement from the National Hockey League (NHL), the 35-year-old wrote on his Twitter account. Thinking about my career, it’s hard to understand how lucky and grateful I am to have been able to live my childhood dream for 13 wonderful years. ”
The 2004 fourth-round pick (127th overall) of the “Blueshirts” spent the first eight years of his professional career with the Rangers. In March 2014, he switched to the Lightning in the deal sending Martin St-Louis to the Big Apple.
In 757 games on the Bettman Circuit, Callahan has hit the target 186 times and provided 200 assists for 386 points.
“I’m very lucky to have had this career, to have been able to play for the Rangers, to be captain, to have had a great time in Tampa, where I fell in love with the city and the team, ”Callahan said in an interview with the NHL Players Association website.
“I’m proud to have contributed in different ways during my career and to have given my 100% in every game.”
