Hagelin retires from NHL after 11 seasons

Carl Hagelin announced his retirement from the NHL after 11 seasons on Wednesday.

Hagelin, who won the Stanley Cup with the Pittsburgh Penguins in 2016 and 2017, hasn't played since sustaining a left eye injury when he was struck with a stick blade during practice with the Washington Capitals on March 1, 2022.

The 35-year-old forward also underwent surgery twice on his left hip while spending all of last season on long-term injured reserve with Washington.

"It's been an amazing ride but it ends here," Hagelin said. "Unfortunately, my eye injury is too severe to keep playing the game I love. I'm extremely grateful for all the memories hockey has given me and I've loved every single day of it."

Selected by the New York Rangers in the sixth round (No. 168) of the 2007 NHL Draft, Hagelin had 296 points (110 goals, 186 assists) in 713 regular-season games with the Rangers, Anaheim Ducks, Penguins, Los Angeles Kings and Capitals.

Hagelin also had 50 points (22 goals, 28 assists) in 141 Stanley Cup Playoff games. From 2012-2021, only Ryan McDonagh (157 with the Rangers and Tampa Bay Lightning) skated in more playoff games than Hagelin.

"I'm gonna miss going to battle [with] my teammates on a daily basis," Hagelin said. "I'm gonna miss the ups and downs of a season.

"Nothing excites me more than stepping on the ice in front of 20,000 passionate fans. I want to thank all my amazing teammates, coaches, Doctors and other staff members that I've met and played with throughout the years.

"Lastly, I want to thank my family, my wife and my kids for all their support. They made it possible for me to live out my dream."