Zak MacMillan

"CBJ"

Harrisburg, PA • United States • 23 Years Old • Male

NHL: Week of Retirement

With all the players retiring this past week, I will go through who has left the game. The four players in age vary in age from the youthful age of 26 to the veteran of 39. Two were first round picks; one was undrafted. Two were forwards; two were defensemen.

Cody Hodgson announced his retirement from hockey to join the youth development and fan development programs in Nashville. The 26 year old was drafted 10th overall by the Vancouver Canucks. The Canucks traded him to the Buffalo Sabres in exchange for winger Zach Kassian. Hodgson signed a 6 year deal worth more than $4 million per season. After a unproductive couple seasons, the Sabres bought him out, and because he was under the age of 26, the Sabres retained 66% of his salary. Hodgson went on to sign a one year, $1.05 million dollar deal with the Predators; did not make the team; and was sent to the farm team in Milakwuwee.

Mike Santorelli announced his retirement from hockey after suffering an unknown injury in the Swiss league. The 30 year old center played with the Florida Panthers; Toronto Maple Leafs; Winnipeg Jets; Nashville Predators; and Anaheim Ducks.

Barett Jackman announced his retirement with the team that drafted him after signing a one day contract with them. Jackman was a first round draft pick with the St. Louis Blues, and won the Calder Memorial Trophy for rookie of the year, as a defenseman. Jackman spent 15 years with the Blues, and an extra year with the Nashville Predators. He got bought out of his final year, and retired with St. Louis. Watching the retirement speech, it was nice of St. Louis to have the whole roster behind Jackman plus some great alumni, including Al MacInis; Martin Brouder; Chris Pronger; and Wayne Gretzky in attendance.

Dan Boyle retired from the game at the elderly age of 39. The undrafted defenseman broke out into the NHL with the Florida Panthers. He left the Panthers to join the Tampa Bay Lightning, and won the Stanley Cup with the Bolts in 2004. He moved on from Tampa to join the San Jose Sharks in 2010. After his contract was up, his rights were traded to the New York Islanders; did not sign with them; and joined the New York Rangers.

Also, in Tampa Bay, the Lightning announced the retirement of number 26, Martin St. Louis. Marty's number will be retired, so nobody else will ever wear the number 26 in Tampa Bay. St. Louis is their leading assist and point scorer, and played the most games with the Lightning- 953 points in 972 games. He won the Stanley Cup with the Bolts in 2004. A decade later, he was traded to the New York Rangers in 2014, and helped lead them to the Stanley Cup Finals, but lost to the Kings. Congratulations Martin St. Louis.