Joonas Donskoi Announces Retirement from NHL at 31

Forward Joonas Donskoi announced his retirement from professional hockey on Sunday after suffering multiple concussions during his seven-year NHL career.

Joonas Donskoi decided it was time to call it an NHL and pro hockey career due to issues with concussions.

Donskoi, 31, announced to Instagram on Sunday his decision to retire. The right winger's last NHL game came on May 1, 2022. The Seattle Kraken forward missed the final season of his four-year contract in 2022-23 after suffering a concussion during the pre-season.

"It is extremely hard to let go of something you have put your whole life into, but at this point, I know it's the right decision for my own well being and future," Donskoi said in a statement. "I got to live my dream of being an NHL player, which I'm extremely blessed and grateful for. I think I was able to reach my own potential, which was always my biggest goal."

The Raahe, Finland, native finishes his NHL playing career with 80 goals and 128 points for 208 points in 474 career games split between the San Jose Sharks, Colorado Avalanche and Kraken. He also appeared in the playoffs for six of his seven seasons, getting 15 goals and 32 points in 69 post-season games between the Sharks and Avs.

"It was an honor to be part of these three world-class organizations, cities and fan bases," Donskoi said. "To all my teammates, coaches, trainers, doctors, front offices, and fans: thank you for the best years of my life. I met so many great people and lifelong friends, on and off the ice."

Despite spending the first four seasons of his career with the Sharks, the Florida Panthers drafted Donskoi in the fourth round, 99th overall, in the 2010 NHL draft. Donskoi then spent the following five seasons in Finland's Liiga with Karpat before signing as a free agent with San Jose in 2015. During his time with the Sharks between 2015-16 and 2018-19, Donskoi recorded the sixth-most total points on the team, with 122. 

The closest Donskoi got to winning the Stanley Cup came in his first season, as he posted 12 points during the Sharks' 2016 run to the final against the Pittsburgh Penguins. Although Pittsburgh won in six games, Donskoi scored the overtime-winner in Game 3 to give the Sharks their first Cup final win in franchise history.

On the international stage, Donskoi played for Team Finland at the U-17, U-18, World Junior Championship and World Championship levels. He captured bronze at the 2009-10 World Men's Under-18 tournament. 

As he moves on to his next chapter, Donskoi thanked his agent, Stephen Bartlett, before saving his family for last.

"Thank you to my wife, Devin – I don't know where I'd be without you," he said. "I've been out of it many times over the past years, and you have stuck by me and supported me every day. 

"I am looking forward to putting our family first now. I love you, Declan and J."