On Friday, goaltender Jaroslav Halak announced his retirement from professional hockey. The 40-year old last played in the NHL in 2023 and played for seven teams during his 17-year career.
Halak Retires
Jaroslav Halak has announced his NHL retirement …
17 seasons
— B/R Open Ice (@BR_OpenIce) July 18, 2025
Halak ends his career with a 295-189-69 record to go with a .915 save percentage and a 2.50 goals against average. During his NHL career, Halak played for the Montreal Canadiens, St. Louis Blues, Washington Capitals, New York Islanders, Boston Bruins, Vancouver Canucks, and the New York Rangers
2010 Playoff Run
Halak’s career was highlighted by his performance during the 2010 Stanley Cup Playoffs with the Habs. The underdog Canadiens advanced to the Eastern Conference Final behind stellar play between the pipes by Halak. The Canadiens entered the postseason as the final playoff team in the East. After two seven-game series victories, the Habs were within reach of the Stanley Cup Final, but they ultimately fell short of reaching the final round.
For Halak, his time with the Habs ended after this playoff run. The team was faced with the decision of who to make their starter. Would it be Halak or Carey Price? The Canadiens chose Price and traded Halak to the Blues, receiving prospect Lars Eller in return.
Career Accolades
During his second season in St. Louis, Halak won the Jenning’s Trophy alongside teammate Brian Elliott for allowing the fewest goals against. This performance propelled the Blues back to the Stanley Cup Playoffs for just the second time since the lockout.
In his first season with the Islanders in 2014-15, Halak was named to the All-Star team for the first and only time in his career.
Halak experienced the Stanley Cup Final for the first time in 2019 with the Bruins. However, Halak did not play in any of the seven games in the Final. With the Bruins the next season, Halak won his second Jenning’s Trophy alongside Tuukka Rask.
Olympics
Internationally, Halak played for Slovakia in the 2010 and 2014 Winter Olympics in Vancouver and Sochi.
Main Photo: Russell LaBounty- Imagn Images
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