Blackhawks Forward Patrick Maroon Plans To Retire After This Season

Ahead of their road game against the St. Louis Blues on Saturday, Chicago Blackhawks forward Patrick Maroon revealed his plans to retire after this season on live TV. 

Maroon announced the news to Darren Pang during a pre-game interview on CHSN. His career will have spanned over 800 games and includes three Stanley Cup championships. 

Maroon was a 6th-round pick (161st overall) by the Philadelphia Flyers in the 2007 NHL Draft. Before ever playing a game for the Flyers, Maroon was traded to the Anaheim Ducks where he played for parts of five seasons. 

He has since played for the Edmonton Oilers, New Jersey Devils, St. Louis Blues, Tampa Bay Lightning, Minnesota Wild, Boston Bruins, and Chicago Blackhawks. 

He's been a journeyman since being traded away by the Ducks but he certainly provided value to every team he played for. 

Maroon's three Stanley Cups came in consecutive years. He signed with his hometown Blues and won which as succeded by two straight with the Lightning. 

This announcement came at the right place for Maroon as he is a St. Louis native. Being the place he's from in addition to the spot where he won his first Cup, St. Louis will always be the most special for him so it's fitting to make that news public there. 

Maroon was successful in the NHL because he played a heavy game and had some offensive jam. He was able to provide multiple skills no matter where he was playing in the lineup. 

It wasn't always easy for Maroon either. Early in his career, his odds of making it in the league weren't great but he continued to grind until he made his dream come true. 

Now that he has this plan to retire, the Blackhawks can send him off the right way. Maroon should be celebrated from now until the very end as he's been nothing short of a wonderful human being. The NHL was better for having him. 

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