The 36-year-old defenseman last played in the 2020-21 season when he had two assists in 19 games for the Ottawa Senators and New York Islanders.
"I knew going into the 2020-21 season, there was a possibility it was going to be my final year playing hockey," Coburn told the Lightning website. "I don't know if my mind was really made up at any one point during the season or offseason. I was very fluid and very flexible, dependent on how my body felt, what worked for me and what was right for my family. Ultimately, I've come to the realization that father time is undefeated, and I knew after 16 years my body wasn't ready for a 17th."
Coburn won the Stanley Cup with the Tampa Bay Lightning in 2020. He was the third player to lift the Cup after captain Steven Stamkos and defenseman Victor Hedman.
"That Cup-winning team overcame many different and unusual situations I'm grateful I get to be forever bonded to," he said. "Seeing the team go back to the Cup Final and win again last season was a mix of emotions for me because I was part of a great Islanders team that had battled hard all playoffs (lost to Lightning in Stanley Cup semifinals), and it's never easy coming up short. Still, I'm very proud of my former teammates. I know the hard work and the sacrifices they made to reach the pinnacle of the hockey world."
Selected by the Atlanta Thrashers in the first round (No. 8) of the 2003 NHL Draft, Coburn scored 234 points (49 goals, 185 assists) in 983 regular-season games with the Thrashers, Philadelphia Flyers, Lightning, Senators and Islanders.
"Sixteen Cups in 16 years would have been nice," Coburn said. "Still, I leave the game very satisfied with what I was able to accomplish. ... Those friendships and experiences are invaluable and are what I treasure the most about my career. Being in the locker room and having 20-plus brothers in the grind, night in night out is what I think I will miss most about retirement. I'm also going to miss the fans. There is no bigger honour than being able to play this game."
Coburn scored 32 points (three goals, 29 assists) in 137 Stanley Cup Playoff games.
"I'm thankful for the amazing people I have met along the way," he told the NHL Players' Association. "And I am very excited for what is to come."
