Per the NHLPA, former New York Rangers star Derek Stepan has just announced his retirement from professional hockey. After thirteen seasons, Stepan has concluded his career with 890 regular season games, as well as 120 playoff games played.
He began his career with New York in the 2010-11 season and remained with the Blueshirts for seven seasons until he was traded to Arizona in 2017. As a former second-round draft pick, Stepan’s career consisted of a gold medal at the 2010 World Juniors, a 2011 NHL All-Star appearance, and he made history as the fourth player to ever record a hat trick in his NHL debut. Although he was never able to hoist the Stanley Cup, Stepan’s career was quite memorable.
Derek Stepan announces his retirement
“After 13 years in the NHL I’ve decided to retire,” said Stepan in a statement. “I want to thank my family and friends for always supporting me and allowing me to live my dreams. I want to thank the four organizations I had the privilege of playing for, and to my teammates for allowing me to be part of their family. Finally, I want to thank the fans, it was an honor to play in front of you. I’m forever grateful for this game and I look forward to the next chapter.”
Derek Stepan via TSN
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Stepan retires a Rangers legend
Stepan finished his career with 515 points, as he was one of the key members of the Rangers offensive corps for the majority of his career. His top moment with the Blueshirts came in the 2015 postseason, where he scored a game-seven overtime winner to conclude a 3-1 series comeback over the Washington Capitals.
Stepan is now the second former Ranger to announce his retirement this offseason, following winger Carl Hagelin. It seems as if the elite Blueshirts era of the early 2010s is quickly coming to a final close, as many of the core Rangers players are retiring from the NHL one by one.
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