Jerry York Retires As Head Coach Of Boston College
The winningest coach in NCAA hockey history is hanging up his whistle. Jerry York, head coach of Boston College for the past 28 years, has announced his retirement. Director of Athletics Patrick Kraft released the following statement:
It is difficult to put into words all that Jerry York means to Boston College. His record as the winningest coach in NCAA men’s ice hockey and BC hockey speak for themselves, but it is his humility, decency, unwavering commitment to his players, fellow coaches, and all of us in the BC family, and the quiet ways in which he contributes to this community that make him so beloved. He is a legend and one of the classiest individuals to ever coach in college sports. It has been a joy to work with him, and on behalf of all of us in the BC community I wish him, Bobbie, and his entire family the very best in his retirement years.
In 1993, York left Bowling Green State for BC, and found a program that was in trouble. In the years since, he turned it into one of college hockey’s powerhouses, winning the national championship in 2001, 2008, 2010, and 2012. His team won the Hockey East Tournament nine times, and was named Hockey East Coach of the Year on five different occasions. Nearly countless NHL and AHL players have come through the BC program with York at its helm, including names like Johnny Gaudreau, Cam Atkinson, Kevin Hayes, Noah Hanifin, Chris Kreider, Alex Tuch, and many, many more. Jack McBain, who debuted last night for the Arizona Coyotes, is the latest product to hit NHL ice.
One of the most well-respected and well-liked coaches in all of North American hockey, York was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 2019 in the builder category, and the U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame as part of the class of 2020. There are few people who have had a bigger impact on the game in the U.S.
In his retirement, York explained that he told his coaches and players of his retirement today. It is based on a desire to “travel more with his wife, Bobbie, play golf for the first time during a weekend in the fall, spend more time with his family, and watch his two grandchildren play hockey, lacrosse, and soccer games in Pittsburgh.”
Tuukka Rask Announces His Retirement
Feb 9: Rask has officially announced his retirement, explaining that his body just wasn’t responding the way he hoped. In a long statement, he thanked the organization, fans, and his many teammates for all of the support over a long career.
Feb 8: Two sources reported to The Athletic’s Fluto Shinzawa today that the Boston Bruins don’t expect legendary goaltender Tuukka Rask to come back and play again this season, adding that Rask may finalize a retirement decision within the next few days.
Rask has not played since January 24th, allowing five goals on 27 shots to the Anaheim Ducks. He backed up the team’s next game but has been on injured reserve since that time, reporting discomfort in his hip after having surgery on it this past offseason.
While it’s not a certainty that Rask will retire, it certainly seems like the most likely option for the 34-year-old goalie. His hip surgery required extensive rehabilitation, missing nearly six months with the injury before returning to Boston in early-mid January. He hasn’t been his usual self, posting just a .844 save percentage and 4.28 goals-against average in four starts this year.
If this does end up being the end of Tuukka Time in Boston, he leaves as undoubtedly the best goaltender in franchise history. He’s first among all Bruins goalies all-time in wins (308), games played (564), and tied with Tim Thomas for best save percentage with a minimum of 100 games played (.921).
There was only one thing missing from his resume with a Vezina and Jennings Trophy already under his belt — a Stanley Cup of his own. He was the team’s backup during the 2011 Stanley Cup victory but never played a game on the playoff run behind Thomas. That was the goal he’d hoped to achieve this season, forming a formidable goalie trio with Linus Ullmark and Jeremy Swayman.
With that, though, the team should still be set in goal for the rest of the season. Both Ullmark and Swayman — especially Swayman — have played like legitimate starters in Boston and continue to do so. While it’ll certainly be an emotional day if Rask does announce his retirement, the team’s solidified there for the near future.
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Troy Brouwer Announces Retirement
Though he hasn’t played since the 2019-20 season, and he’s still technically on Calgary Flames payroll, Troy Brouwer has announced his retirement. The veteran forward and St. Louis Blues issued a release that includes some of Brouwer’s most memorable moments, along with many thanks to the people that helped him along the way.
Brouwer, 36, was never even expected to make it to the NHL. Selected 214th overall in 2004, a few selections from what would be the end of the draft these days, the big winger was known more for his physical play than his offensive upside in his early junior days. That unquenchable work ethic and fearlessness eventually turned him into a star for the Moose Jaw Warriors though and then carried him right into success in professional hockey. Brouwer would score 41 goals in his first AHL season and 35 in his second, all while racking up more than 220 penalty minutes.
It wasn’t long before he was in the NHL, playing regular minutes for the Chicago Blackhawks. In 2010 he was a key part of the team’s Stanley Cup championship, but he would find himself shipped out of town as one of the group’s salary cup casualties. He still found success in Washington, posting a career-high 25 goals and 43 points in 2014-15. The same could be said about his short stint in St. Louis, before stops in Calgary and Florida.
In all, Brouwer will retire with 851 regular season games under his belt, but 106 more in the postseason. His 182 goals and 363 career points are many more than anyone expected from the seventh-round pick, and a great example to show prospects that aren’t selected quite as high as they hoped.
Dion Phaneuf Announces Retirement
Though he hasn’t played in the NHL since the 2018-19 season and is still technically on the books for both the Ottawa Senators and Los Angeles Kings, Dion Phaneuf has announced his retirement. The veteran defenseman released a long statement thanking his family, friends and the teammates he made along the way. In it, he gives special mention to the Toronto Maple Leafs, who hosted his retirement ceremony today:
A great thanks to the entire Toronto Maple Leafs organization, their ownership and leadership Larry Tanenbaum and Brendan Shanahan for providing me with this opportunity to retire with such love and support here in Toronto. It was a special honour to represent the Maple Leafs as team captain a point of pride and honour that I will carry with me forever.
Selected ninth overall by the Calgary Flames in 2003, Phaneuf was a throwback defenseman who at his peak could compete in any style of hockey. The 6’4″, left-shot powerhouse was a star for the Red Deer Rebels, scoring goals and racking up penalty minutes with big hits and tough fights. By the time he made his debut with the Flames in 2005 he was already a well-known name in Canada thanks to his performances at the World Juniors, but his first taste of the NHL put him on the map for all hockey fans. With 20 goals and 49 points in his rookie season, he finished eighth in Norris Trophy voting and only failed to win the Calder Trophy because there were a couple of players named Alex Ovechkin and Sidney Crosby entering the league.
In 2007-08 Phaneuf would reach a career-high of 60 points, while also racking up 182 penalty minutes as he fearlessly patroled the Calgary blue line. He’d finish second in Norris voting that year, trailing only legendary defenseman Nicklas Lidstrom, who was taking home the trophy for the sixth time in seven years. That was the closest Phaneuf would get, but he still had a long career ahead of him, including his captaincy in Toronto. Overall, he played in 1,048 regular season games, racking up 494 points, 1,345 penalty minutes and more than 2,000 hits.
In 2019, the last two years of his contract were bought out by the Kings, meaning he’ll still receive a paycheck through 2022-23. The Senators had been retaining salary on the deal, so both franchises carry a part of Phaneuf’s cap hit for this season and next.
Braydon Coburn Announces Retirement
After a long, successful career, Braydon Coburn is hanging up his skates. The veteran defenseman announced his retirement today, issuing a statement through the NHLPA:
Walking into NHL buildings for the last 16 years, surrounded by hockey’s greatest players, coaches, management, trainers, officials, and fans, has been an incredible privilege. I’m very proud to have come into the league as an Atlanta Thrasher, proudly wore the orange and black as a member of the Philadelphia Flyers, won a Stanley Cup with the Tampa Bay Lightning and finished my career with the Ottawa Senators and the New York Islanders.
Thank you to my parents, grandparents, and siblings for the sacrifices you made helping me realize my NHL dream. Thank you to my minor hockey coaches for always making the game fun, and countless others that taught me how awesome it was to be a part of a team. I would also like to send a sincere thank you to my teammates, friends and family, especially my wife, Nadine, my daughter, Rory, and my son, Blair, for their patience, support and unwavering love. I’m thankful for the amazing people I have met along the way, and I am very excited for what is to come.
Coburn, 36, split last season between the Senators and Islanders, playing in 19 games total. Before that, he had spent several years with Tampa Bay, where he won a Stanley Cup in 2020. Though he was just a depth player by then, that certainly wasn’t the case for most of his career. For nine years in Philadelphia, Coburn averaged nearly 22 minutes a night, logging time in basically every situation. A huge, physical specimen standing at 6’5″, he was also talented enough with the puck to run a powerplay early in his career.
Over 983 regular season games, Coburn racked up 234 points, 720 penalty minutes, and more than 1,400 hits. He participated in the World Championship for Tema Canada on two occasions and was part of the 2005 World Junior squad that is considered one of the greatest groups of all time.
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Marian Gaborik Announces Retirement
Though he hasn’t played since 2018, Marian Gaborik has finally announced his retirement. His final NHL contract expired at the end of the 2020-21 season, officially as a member of the Tampa Bay Lightning, though he never came close to playing for them.
Gaborik holds the record as the highest-drafted Slovak in history, selected third overall by the Minnesota Wild in 2000. The team’s first draft choice was a good one, as he not only would score the first goal in Wild history but go on to rack up 218 more for the organization. A star almost from the moment he hit an NHL ice surface, Gaborik was a five-time 30-goal scorer for Minnesota, reaching a career-high of 42 in 2007-08. After is 500+ games with an expansion team, he would end up with the New York Rangers, where he cracked the 40-goal mark twice more before entering the back half of his career.
In 2014 with the Los Angeles Kings, Gaborik led all players in playoff goals with 14 en route to securing the Stanley Cup. While he would play for a few more years, he’d never reach that kind of goal-scoring prowess again.
Overall, Gaborik suited up for 1,035 regular season games and ends his career with 407 goals and 815 points. He is the all-time goals leader in Minnesota history, ranks fourth in points among all Slovakian NHL players (Peter Stastny, Marian Hossa, and Peter Bondra are ahead of him), and ranks 95th all-time in goals scored for the entire NHL. In his prime, there were few players more feared than Gaborik, able to score in countless different ways and from all angles of the offensive zone. His two-step acceleration was as strong as anyone in the league, and there’s a good chance he would have found success today even as the league continues to get faster and more mobile.
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Snapshots: Wilson, Three Stars, Cash
Last year, Colin Wilson opened up in a piece for The Players’ Tribune, explaining that he had been dealing with untreated obsessive-compulsive disorder throughout his career. He was trying to educate young players on the importance of mental health and the risks that a professional career brought him.
Today, Wilson released an addendum titled “Addiction” in which he fully admits his addiction to drugs, use of Ambien and cocaine, and hopes to spread increased awareness following the recent fentanyl-contributed death of former NHL forward Jimmy Hayes. Wilson’s new piece is a worthwhile–if difficult–read for all sports fans.
- The league has announced the Three Stars for last week, with Kyle Connor taking home top spot after racking up five goals and eight points in three games. The point total was the same for Connor McDavid, who was the week’s second star, while Ilya Sorokin posted an outstanding .971 save percentage with two shutouts to earn third place. Sorokin was the first Islanders’ goaltender to post shutouts in consecutive days as he held the fort while Semyon Varlamov recovered from injury.
- One of the greatest sled hockey players of all time has announced his retirement, as Steve Cash will end his playing days after 16 seasons in goal for the U.S. National Team. Cash has three Paralympic Winter Games gold medals (and a bronze), eight World Championship gold medals, and lost just 16 games in regulation during his more than 150 starts for Team USA.
Snapshots: Lundqvist, Caufield, Popugaev
Immediately after Henrik Lundqvist announced his retirement last month, the New York Rangers confirmed that they would be retiring his number. They’ve now announced that on January 28, 2022, his No. 30 will be raised to the rafters and never worn again. Lundqvist is the franchise leader among goaltenders in games played, wins, saves, and save percentage (among those with at least 60 appearances).
He will become the 11th player to have his number retired by the team, joining Ed Giacomin (1), Brian Leetch (2), Harry Howell (3), Rod Gilbert (7), Andy Bathgate (9), Adam Graves (9), Mark Messier (11), Vic Hadfield (11), Jean Ratelle (19) and Mike Richter (35).
- The Montreal Canadiens have confirmed that young star Cole Caufield will be out for a week with an upper-body injury suffered over the weekend. The 20-year-old played against the Toronto Maple Leafs on Saturday and then was pulled from the warmup for an intrasquad game on Sunday. With how important he is going to be for the team this year, keeping him healthy to start the season is extremely important for the Canadiens.
- It appears as though former New Jersey Devils prospect Nikita Popugaev has ended his hockey career, listing himself as an “ex hockey player” on Instagram. Popugaev was a fourth-round pick of the Devils in 2017, but never signed with the team and spent last season in the KHL. Though his rights are technically retained indefinitely by the Devils, it appears as though the 22-year-old will no longer be pursuing his career on the ice.
Curtis McElhinney Announces Retirement
Veteran goaltender Curtis McElhinney was unable to find a team to sign with in free agency and rather than opt to try his hand at a tryout somewhere, he has instead called it a career, updating his Instagram profile to state that he has now retired.
The 38-year-old was never truly able to establish himself as a starter in the NHL but that didn’t stop him from having a long career as a backup. Following a strong season with Carolina as a 35-year-old in 2018-19, McElhinney was able to land a two-year deal with Tampa Bay that just ended this summer. He posted a 2.97 GAA along with a .895 SV% in 30 games with the Lightning over that stretch while winning a pair of Stanley Cups along the way; going out on top is never a bad way to go.
McElhinney played for eight different teams over his 13-year NHL career after being a sixth-round pick in 2002 by Calgary, spanning 249 appearances. He hangs up his skates with a 94-95-20 record along with a 2.83 GAA and a .907 SV% along with a dozen shutouts. PHR wishes him well in his retirement.
Travis Zajac Signs One-Day Contract With Devils, Announces Retirement
New Jersey, he’ll always be a Devil. Travis Zajac has signed a one-day contract with the New Jersey Devils before announcing his retirement from a playing career that lasted more than 1,000 games. Zajac will remain with the Devils organization in an on/off-ice player development and consulting role, while also working to grow the club’s youth hockey initiatives. The veteran forward thanked everyone along the way, while Devils managing partner David Blitzer released a statement as well:
During his 15-year NHL career, Travis Zajac’s consistent preparation, commitment and performance epitomized what it meant to be a New Jersey Devil. Win or lose, Travis’ teammates, coaches and fans could always count on him to play the right way. I am thrilled that Travis, his wife Nicole and their children will continue to make New Jersey their home, and they will be a valued part of the Devils organization moving forward.
Originally selected 20th overall in 2004, Zajac would be in the NHL full-time by 2006-07 and never look back. He scored 17 goals and 42 points that rookie season, numbers that would seem routine for him over the next decade. He reached a career-high of 25 goals and 67 points in the 2009-10 season and racked up 552 points in 1,037 career regular season games. All but 13 of those came with the Devils organization, though Zajac did have a short sojourn with the New York Islanders earlier this year, as GM Lou Lamoriello, who drafted him so many years ago, acquired the 36-year-old forward for a playoff run.
Despite having so much personal success, Zajac actually didn’t get that many chances to suit up in the postseason. He managed just 71 playoff games over his long career, only once going deep–the Stanley Cup Finals in 2012. A reliable two-way presence, he did receive Selke Trophy votes in seven different seasons, finishing sixth in 2010.
Now hanging up his skates, he’ll join the same Devils organization that has always been his home and help the next wave of talent reach the NHL.
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