Longtime NHL forward decides to hang up the skates at 33-years-old
After going unsigned throughout the entire summer, it appears that a longtime NHL forward is going to be hanging up the skates.
According to TVA Sports, 13-year NHL veteran Derek Stepan has retired from professional hockey and will be joining the front office of the Minnesota Wild, although his role with the team has not been disclosed yet.
Michael Russo of The Athletic, who first reported that Stepan was likely to join the Wild's front office, shared this image on his X account on Friday, which showed the former NHLer sitting with the team's General Manager Bill Guerin and wearing a Minnesota vest.
Stepan, 33, was selected 51st overall in the 2008 NHL Entry Draft by the New York Rangers and went on to be a mainstay in their lineup for seven seasons between 2010 and 2017, helping them reach the Stanley Cup Final in 2014.
The Hastings, Minnesota native also went on to make stops with the Arizona Coyotes, Ottawa Senators and Carolina Hurricanes in the latter years of his playing career.
In 890 career games in the National Hockey League, Stepan put up 515 points (182 goals, 333 assists), 216 penalty minutes and was a plus-98. Stepan also skated in 120 Stanley Cup Playoff games during his time in the league, tallying 55 points (20 goals, 35 assists).
Congratulations to Derek Stepan on a solid career in the National Hockey League and all the best in retirement!
