Veteran forward Derek Stepan has announced his retirement from the NHL after 13 seasons and more than 500 points.

One of the NHL's premier depth forwards in recent years is calling it quits. 

Veteran forward Derek Stepan announced his retirement on Tuesday, riding off into the sunset after 13 NHL seasons spent with the New York Rangers, Arizona Coyotes, Ottawa Senators, and Carolina Hurricanes. 

"I want to thank my family and friends for always supporting me and allowing me to live my dreams," Stepan said in a statement. "I want to thank the four organizations I had the privilege of playing for, and to my teammates for allowing me to be part of their family. Finally, I want to thank the fans; it was an honor to play in front of you. I’m forever grateful for this game, and I look forward to the next chapter.”

Stepan finishes his career having suited up in 890 regular-season games, racking up 182 goals and 333 assists for 515 points while chipping in 20 goals and 35 assists for 55 points in 120 playoff games, as well. He most recently played for the Hurricanes in 2022-23, finishing that season with five goals and six assists for 11 points in 73 games. 

Drafted by the Rangers in the second round back in 2008, Stepan burst onto the scene with a 21-goal rookie campaign in 2010-11, finishing just outside the top 10 in Calder Trophy voting. 

He would continue to be a very productive top-six forward for the Rangers for seven seasons, even making the Stanley Cup final in 2014 and scoring a memorable Game 7 overtime-winner to eliminate the Washington Capitals the year after.

[embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bDZEd2IRpfE[/embed]

The Rangers ultimately dealt Stepan to the Arizona Coyotes in 2016-17. While initially continuing to produce in Arizona, Stepan gradually began to focus more on the defensive aspects of the game as a bottom-nine center as the years went on, eventually joining the Senators for the pandemic-shortened 2021 campaign and then ending his career with a final two years in Carolina. 

The hockey world assuredly wishes Stepan a happy retirement.