11-year NHL veteran Daniel Winnik retires from professional hockey
Long-time NHL forward Daniel Winnik has decided after 19 professional seasons that it's time to hang up his skates and retire from the game he loves.
Winnik shared the news in a post on social media, showing gratitude for his lengthy professional career which began with the Phoenix Coyotes in 2007 and ended with Geneva Servette, who he spent the last six seasons with in Switzerland.
I want to express my sincere gratitude to Geneva Servette, the fans, and the city for everything over the past six years. Helping to bring the city two championships will forever be my most cherished career memories. Geneva was the only place I truly called home, and it holds a special place in my heart. Merci pour tout." Winnik said.
Winnik, 39, was drafted by the Coyotes in the ninth round back in 2004 and spent three seasons with them before moving on to Colorado Avalanche via a trade. He also spent time with the San Jose Sharks, Anaheim Ducks, Toronto Maple Leafs, Pittsburgh Penguins, Washington Capitals and Minnesota Wild, recording 251 points (82 goals, 169 assists) and 367 penalty minutes in 798 games.
After the 2017-18 season, Winnik headed overseas and signed with Geneve Servette in Switzerland's top division - National League. He had a successful run with the team, finishing two of his six seasons there with 20+ goals and winning a championship in 2023.
In 2022, with NHLs staying back in North America, Winnik was named to team Canada for the Winter Olympics in China. He appeared in five games and scored his first international goal in his debut against Germany in the preliminary round.
| POLL | ||
Do you think Daniel Winnik could be a coach for a professional team one day? | ||
| Yes | 51 | 65.4 % |
| No | 27 | 34.6 % |
| List of polls | ||
