16-year NHL veteran, two-time Stanley Cup champion retires at 37

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Cooper Godin
September 10, 2023 (2:53 PM)

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After spending parts of 16 seasons in the National Hockey League, two-time Stanley Cup champion Andrew Ladd has decided to retire.

Ladd made the news official in a lengthy statement on his social media accounts on Sunday afternoon, thanking everyone involved in his career, as well as his family and the teams who gave him an opportunity to play at the highest level.

""The time has come for my next chapter. When I was a kid I never thought I had a chance to make a living playing hockey. There was my love for the game. I loved being a part of a team, I loved competing, I loved the next chance to win, I loved the challenge, I loved the escape of immersing myself in the moment, I loved the feeling of belonging, I loved the confidence it gave me, I loved to prove people wrong. As I reflect on the journey, the 1001 games, the 2 Stanley Cups, the opportunity to captain a Canadian city, what I'm most grateful for is the people." Part of Ladd's statement said.

He went on to thank the teams he spent his time with, "The Carolina Hurricanes, Chicago Blackhawks, Atlanta Thrashers, Winnipeg Jets, New York Islanders and Arizona Coyotes for allowing me to represent your organization and cities. Friends in all those places who gave my family and I community. The fans who are the fuel of our game and created so many amazing moment like the 1st game back in the Peg, the anthem at the madhouse, and standing for an entire game 7 in Carolina. Your energy and passion created those moment."

Ladd, 37, made his NHL debut during the 2005-06 season and went on to win his first Stanley Cup during his rookie season with the Carolina Hurricanes. He went on to also play for the Chicago Blackhawks: where he won a second Stanley Cup in 2010, Atlanta Thrashers, Winnipeg Jets, New York Islanders and Arizona Coyotes, skating in a total of 1,001 games and putting up 550 points (256 goals, 294 assists), 615 penalty minutes and was a plus-20.

The Maple Ridge, British Columbia native has been dealing with some issues with his knee over the last several years, which included three surgeries. Ahead of the 2022-23 season, Ladd failed his physical because of his knee and was forced to miss the entire campaign. His last game in the National Hockey League came on April 22nd, 2022 against the Washington Capitals.

Congratulations to Andrew Ladd on a solid career in the National Hockey League and all the best in retirement!