Not that long ago, Brendan Guhle was viewed as an important part of Buffalo’s rebuild and later Anaheim’s after he was traded there back in 2019. However, he wasn’t able to establish himself in the NHL and headed overseas this past summer. His time there, and in hockey, has come to an end though as Eisbaren Berlin announced that the 25-year-old has retired, citing personal reasons.
The 25-year-old was a second-round pick of the Sabres back in 2015 (51st overall) and got into 23 NHL games with them over parts of three seasons before being moved to the Ducks as part of the Brandon Montour trade. Guhle had a bit of a longer look with them, getting into 42 contests over parts of three years, including six last season.
However, instead of testing free agency last summer, Guhle decided to try his hand overseas, joining Berlin in the German league. Things didn’t go well there as an injury suffered in his first game with them in the Champions League kept him out of the lineup until the end of November. After seven contests with them, he has decided to hang up his skates.
Guhle’s playing days come to an end with 14 points in 65 career NHL contests. He was considerably more productive in the minors with 92 points in 199 appearances but while he could have conceivably hung around on two-way deals for a few more seasons, he’s calling it a career earlier than expected.
Sad to hear.