Former Two Time Stanley Cup Champion Leaves Team and Announces his Sudden Retirement at the Age of 34
Justin Schultz, a two-time Stanley Cup champion, announced his official retirement at 34 years old.
Following a 12-year career in the NHL, in which he played for the Edmonton Oilers, Pittsburgh Penguins, Washington Capitals, and Seattle Kraken between 2012 and 2024, Justin Shultz announced that he is officially retiring from professional hockey.
Since his draft selection at the 43rd overall rank by the Anaheim Ducks in 2008, he scored 71 goals and 324 points in regular seasons and added 42 more, including 10 goals, in 81 playoff games.
He notably won two Stanley Cups with the Penguins in 2016 and 2017.
The defenseman also played a year with the Oklahoma City Barons in the AHL in 2012 and signed a contract with HC Lugano in Switzerland back in October.
After only eight games in Switzerland, the Kelowna native announced that he is returning to Canada in an official statement:
His team expressed some dissatisfaction in their statement but didn't comment further out of respect for the player.
"Out of respect for the player's choice, neither the club nor Justin Schultz will make further comments on the matter."
At 34 years old, Schultz could still try to get back to the NHL, but would likely need to accept a low salary to join a team. After $41,325,000 in estimated career earnings, if he wants to play hockey at a high level, he probably wouldn't mind.
We wish him the best in the next chapter, either he decides to pursue a future in the NHL or completely retires from the hockey world.
