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International Notes: Jokinen, Roy, Samorukov, Kovalenko

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Long-time NHL forward Jussi Jokinen has decided to call it a career, telling NHL.com’s Varpu Sihvonen that he is hanging up his skates at the age of 38.  Jokinen played in 951 career NHL games over parts of 13 seasons with nine different teams, picking up 191 goals and 372 assists.  After spending a year in Switzerland, he returned home to play in Karpat where he spent the last two seasons.  His production dipped this season as he picked up just nine goals in 51 games which helped lead to his decision as he felt that he is no longer able to play at a high enough level to contribute as much as he wants to.  Jokinen didn’t win a Stanley Cup in the NHL but picked up five medals internationally, two at the Olympics and three at the World Championships.

More from the international game:

  • Jokinen wasn’t the only veteran announcing his retirement as Derek Roy did the same today via a post on his Instagram page. The center spent most of his 11-year career with Buffalo and suited up in 738 career games, notching 189 goals and 335 assists.  Roy last saw NHL action in 2015 before embarking on a four-country tour over the past six seasons which ended with EHC Munchen where he had four goals and five helpers in just 12 games in 2020-21.
  • CSKA Moscow of the KHL announced (Twitter link) that they have released defenseman Dmitri Samorukov, paving the way for him to return to the Oilers for next season. The 21-year-old spent last season with AHL Bakersfield but the uncertainty around the pandemic led him to stay in Russia for this season where he managed two goals and six assists in 48 games.  While he’s eligible to play in the playoffs with Edmonton, he suffered a season-ending shoulder injury so that won’t be happening.
  • Avalanche prospect Nikolai Kovalenko told Championnat’s Alexander Kozhevnikov that he is leaving Lokomotiv Yaroslavl of the KHL due to unhappiness over his role. The 2018 sixth-rounder had a limited role this season but still managed to notch five goals and six assists in 41 games.  The winger indicated that there are a couple of options he’s currently considering – signing with Colorado and coming to North America or staying in Russia and joining Ak Bars Kazan.  As Kovalenko was drafted out of Russia, his NHL rights will be held indefinitely.

Connor Hobbs Retires From Professional Hockey

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Former Capitals prospect Connor Hobbs is calling it a career, at least on the professional side of it.  The 23-year-old told Greg Harder of the Regina Leader-Post that injuries between his time in junior and the pros plus a loss of enthusiasm for playing have led him to make this decision.

Hobbs was a fifth-round pick of the Capitals (143rd overall) back in 2015 and showed some offensive promise at the junior level.  In his final WHL season with Regina back in 2016-17, he was the top-scoring defenseman in the league, tallying 31 goals along with 54 assists in just 67 games.

However, that failed to materialize into much success at the AHL level with Hershey.  After recording 16 points in his rookie year and 18 points in 2018-19, he was limited to just 16 games last season due to a torn rotator cuff which helped Washington decide to non-tender him earlier this month.  The injury still hasn’t healed entirely as he isn’t expected to be fully cleared until December.

Hobbs isn’t done with playing hockey entirely though as Harder notes that the blueliner is still skating with the Saskatchewan Huskies, a U Sports team even though their season was recently cancelled due to the ongoing pandemic; the Canadian college level anticipates to return in 2021-22.

Chris Thorburn Officially Retires From NHL

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It’s been more than two years since Chris Thorburn played meaningful minutes in an NHL game, but the veteran forward is officially hanging up his skates, per Sean O’Leary of The Score. The NHLPA sent along their congratulations to Thorburn via Twitter.

Thorburn, 37, got to go out in style, winning the Stanley Cup in his second year with the St. Louis Blues in 2019. The Athletic’s Jeremy Rutherford chronicled Thorburn’s final season when he spent most of the year mentoring younger players for the Blues’ AHL affiliate. The longtime enforcer appeared in 50 games for the Blues in 2017-2018 for 7:02 ATOI as a 34-year-old, finishing the year with seven points.

The veteran winger was never an All-Star, topping out usage-wise with 13:48 ATOI during the Thrashers final season in Atlanta (2010-2011). He nonetheless carved out a role as a professional skater for 14 seasons. After Buffalo made him the 50th overall selection of the 2001 entry draft, Thorburn suited up for the Sabres, Penguins, Thrashers/Jets, and Blues, totalling 53 goals and 134 points.

P.A. Parenteau Retires From Professional Hockey

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A ninth-round pick overcoming the odds to play on a top line in one of the most famous cities in the world, alongside one of the game’s premiere talents. That’s the story of P.A. Parenteau, who according to Brian Compton of NHL.com has decided to hang up his skates. Parenteau retires after trying to make it work in the KHL, and representing Canada at the Spengler Cup this year. The 35-year old forward actually told Montreal radio more than a month ago that this was what he was planning but it went mostly under the radar, much like his NHL career.

Selected 264th-overall back when the NHL draft still had more than seven rounds, Parenteau was an extreme lottery ticket for the Anaheim Ducks. The young QMJHL winger had just completed his first season of junior, but would go on to score 51 goals and 118 points the next season. Perhaps they had more than they had expected in this offensive player who didn’t have any single standout skill. Another year of junior and four years bouncing around the minor leagues before Parenteau would make his NHL debut with the Chicago Blackhawks, and another three years before becoming a regular with the New York Islanders.

That’s where he found immediate success with a young first-overall pick named John Tavares, who turned Parenteau from a minor league scoring threat to a 20-goal, 67-point NHL talent. Parenteau told Compton that playing those two seasons with Tavares “changed [his] life completely. I can retire in peace now just because of those two years.” While he likely means the peace that came knowing he finally made his long-time NHL dream come true, there is also the financial gain that Parenteau received from his two years alongside Tavares.

After that 67-point season, the Colorado Avalanche signed Parenteau to a four-year, $16MM contract that would eventually be bought out by the Montreal Canadiens. After an outstanding lockout-shortened season in 2012-13 when Parenteau had 43 points in 48 games, his career took a sharp downward turn and he’d be out of the league just a few years later. Though there was some resurgence in Toronto, when a bad Maple Leafs team gave him plenty of ice time en route to another 20-goal season, the writing was on the wall for Parenteau.

In all, the ninth-round pick will retire with 491 games played in the NHL and 296 points. Those offensive totals put him 19th among all players selected in 2001.

Waivers & Recalls: 10/04/17

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The first day of the regular season has brought a fair amount of movement already, with extensions, retirements and trades. There are also five players that have been placed on the waiver wire, while others have been recalled to play in their respective team’s opening games. Here are the minor moves from today:

Waivers:

Brandon Pirri (VGK)
Chandler Stephenson (WSH)
Joe Colborne (COL)
Eric Tangradi (DET)
Patrick Wiercioch (VAN)

Recalls:

Alex DeBrincat (CHI)
Gustav Forsling (CHI)

Bryan Bickell To Retire After This Season

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Carolina Hurricanes forward Bryan Bickell will retire from the NHL after this season.

He has only played in nine games this season after being diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis in November. After playing 10 games with the Charlotte Checkers of the AHL, Bickell returned to the Hurricanes’ lineup two games ago, and will play the final two games of his career this weekend.

Bickell told NHL.com of his decision on Saturday morning. Hurricanes head coach Bill Peters was close to tears when asked about his player’s decision. Peters coached Bickell when the two were with the Blackhawks’ AHL affiliate from 2008-2010. Peters called Bickell “a man’s man” and “a pro’s pro,” as well as “unbelievably brave.”

The Hurricanes will wear “29” stickers on their helmets to honor Bickell this weekend. Bickell will be in the starting lineup and on the first unit power-play. His teammates also surprised him this morning by attending a fundraising walk with “Bickell Brave” t-shirts on.

Bickell played parts of nine seasons with the Chicago Blackhawks, winning three Stanley Cups. He’s perhaps most-known for his incredible run during the 2013 playoffs, where he scored nine goals and 17 points in 23 games. That included the game-tying goal in Game Six of the Finals, followed by Dave Bolland’s Cup-winner just 17 seconds later.

Everyone at Pro Hockey Rumors wishes Bickell the best in his post-NHL days.

Martin Havlat Retires After 14 Seasons

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Former NHL-All Star Martin Havlat announced his retirement after 14 seasons.

Havlat made the announcement via the NHLPA’s website. He last appeared in the NHL in 2015-16, playing two games with the St. Louis Blues, scoring his last NHL goal.

Havlat was a first-round pick of the Ottawa Senators back in 1999. He scored 594 points in 790 games, but never played a full 82-game schedule. During his career, he had shoulder surgery, a serious pelvic injury, and many groin injuries. Despite his injuries, Havlat was known for his clutch scoring, with 44 regular season GWGs and seven more in the playoffs. Three of those were in overtime.

He spent his first five seasons in the Canadian capital before being traded to Chicago, missing the Senators’ Stanley Cup Finals appearance by one year. He played with the Blackhawks for three seasons, but wasn’t re-signed for their 2009-10 Stanley Cup. He signed with Minnesota, and had his last good season in his second year there. After scoring 62 points in 2010-11, the Wild traded him to San Jose for Dany Heatley. After the trade, Havlat never played more than 48 games in a season, or scored more than 27 points in a season. After stints with New Jersey and St. Louis and Kometa Brno, Havlat decided to stop playing because of a “sharp pain” in his groin from “overuse and too many tears.”

While injuries shortened his career, Havlat says he’s “not angry now, just happy I did everything I could.” He currently lives in Florida, raising his two young daughters. He says he hopes neither play hockey until they’re older, so he can avoid spending time in “a cold rink” for a little while longer.

David Legwand Announces His Retirement

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Long-time NHL center David Legwand has announced his retirement at the age of 36 via the NHL Players’ Association.

Legwand was the inaugural draft pick for the Nashville Predators as he was the second overall pick back in the 1998 NHL Entry Draft.  He spent parts of 15 seasons with the team, scoring 210 goals while adding 356 assists in 956 games.  He remains Nashville’s franchise leader in goals, assists, and points as well as games played and game winning goals (41).

Mar 12, 2013; Dallas, TX, USA; Nashville Predators center David Legwand (11) skates in the Dallas Stars zone during the game at the American Airlines Center. The Predators shut out the Stars 4-0. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY SportsAt the 2014 trade deadline, he was dealt to Detroit in exchange for Calle Jarnkrok, Patrick Eaves, and a second round pick.  Legwand didn’t fare particularly well with the Red Wings, collecting just 11 points in 26 games (regular season and playoffs combined) before departing as a free agent that summer.

He played his final two seasons in the Atlantic Division with Ottawa in 2014-15 and Buffalo in 2015-16.  With the Senators, he had 27 points in 80 games and was dealt along with goaltender Robin Lehner to Buffalo in the 2015 offseason in exchange for a first round draft pick.  However, he struggled considerably with the Sabres with just 14 points in 79 games, the lowest full-season total of his career while playing under ten minutes per game for the first time.

For his career, Legwand played in 1,136 games between the four teams, scoring 228 goals and 390 assists along with 551 penalty minutes.

Although he is hanging up his skates, Legwand won’t be leaving hockey altogether as he is a part owner of the Sarnia Sting of the Ontario Hockey League.

Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.

Matthew Lombardi Retires

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It’s a name that hasn’t been heard in the NHL in a few years, and now never will again. Former two-way specialist and long-time Calgary Flames center Matthew Lombardi announced his retirement from pro hockey this weekend at the age of 34. The defensive forward has played the past three seasons with Geneve-Servette HC in the Swiss National League A.

Lombardi was once a rising star in the NHL. A third-round pick by the Flames in 2002, fresh off of a 130-point season for the QMJHL’s Victoriaville Tigres, Lombardi quickly became a highly regarded NHL prospect. He made his league debut in 2003-04, garnering Calder consideration as he scored 29 points and quickly established himself as a complete, defensively responsible player. In 2006-07, Lombardi put together his first 20-goal season as part of a 46-point effort. Altogether, Lombardi had 167 points in 347 games with the Flames and led the team in shorthanded time on ice and shorthanded goals during that span. However, by the NHL Trade Deadline in 2009, Lombardi had not progressed the way that Calgary had hoped. In need of more talent down the middle, the Flames traded Lombardi along with Brandon Prust and a first-round pick that would become Brandon Gormley to the Phoenix Coyotes for Olli Jokinen. Ironically, in the 2008-09 season split between Calgary and Phoenix, Lombardi matched his career high of 46 points and then topped it in his 2009-10 season in the desert with 53 points. Meanwhile, Jokinen performed worse on a point-per-game basis in the latter half of 2008-09 than Lombardi and had just 50 points in 2009-10 and was traded out of Calgary. Unfortunately, Lombardi was unable to keep besting his career bests. After signing a three-year, $10.5MM deal with the Nashville Predators in 2010, Lombardi suffered a concussion in just the second game of the season and missed the entire 2010-11 campaign. He would never suit up for the Predators again, as they traded he and Cody Franson to the Toronto Maple Leafs the following summer. Lombardi struggled to return to his pre-concussion performance level in Toronto, scoring just 18 points to the tune of -19 in 2011-12. Even when traded back to Arizona, where he had enjoyed the best year of his career, Lombardi struggled, scoring just eight points in 21 games as a part-time player for the Coyotes before being traded yet again, this time to the Anaheim Ducks.

Looking for a jump start to a career that had grown cold, Lombardi headed overseas to Switzerland in 2013 to play with the NLA’s Geneve-Servette. In his first year, Lombardi became a fan-favorite with a team-best 50 points in 46 games. However, injuries have slowed him down the past two years as he’s played in just 53 games. Yet, Lombardi continued to play with a scoring touch and a dominant defensive edge when active and was a leader for the team. Unsure about his future, Lombardi took the summer to decide on his commitment to hockey before calling it a career this weekend. Although he may not be as recognizable a name as some, Lombardi played a strong all-around game and had the potential to be ever better. Although that ceiling was never reached, Lombardi should be remembered for the success he did have and admired for always striving to be better.

Travis Moen Retires From Professional Hockey

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After fourteen years and 747 career games, veteran forward Travis Moen has announced that he will retire from professional hockey. The 34-year old from Stewart Valley, Saskatchewan hadn’t found a job this season after spending the last two seasons playing sporadically with the Dallas Stars. <a rel=

Moen is perhaps best known for his shutdown play alongside Sami Pahlsson and Rob Niedermayer en route to the 2007 Stanley Cup with the Anaheim Ducks. Their play helped the Ducks run roughshod over the rest of the league in those playoffs, losing only five games total. Moen actually was credited with the Cup-winning goal, though it was put into the net by Chris Phillips in one of the biggest NHL bloopers of all time.

The winger would then spend time with the San Jose Sharks before playing for the Montreal Canadiens for parts of six seasons. Though his offensive game never hit that 2006-07 high again, he remained an effective penalty killer and bottom-six checking forward for much of his time there.

Across the 747 games, Moen scored 59 goals and 136 points. He played in a whopping 83 playoff games, adding 19 points and 61 penalty minutes. Always playing with an edge, and willing to drop the mitts at a moment’s notice, it wouldn’t be surprising to see him move into a coaching role one day, as many checking forwards have before.

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