Former Blue Jacket Derick Brassard Retires From Professional Hockey

Former 6th overall pick of the Columbus Blue Jackets Derick Brassard announced yesterday that he is retiring from the NHL. Brassard played for 10 different teams during his long career. 

Somehow, Brassard played more games for the CBJ than any other team. He played in 309 games for Columbus, scoring 58 goals and totaling 169 points. 

He made his NHL debut on January 10, 2008, and played on a line with Blue Jacket legends Jody Shelley and Jared Boll. The next season disaster struck. In December of 2008, he decided to fight James Neal and it didn't end well. He separated his shoulder, ending his season. He finished with 25 points in 31 games. 

Brassard seemed to have issues at every turn. From shoulder injuries, a broken mandible, and burning himself with hot glue - nothing would seem to ever go right. His time in Columbus would end on April 3, 2013, when he was traded to the New York Rangers. 

During his time in Columbus, "Brass" never played an 82-game season. The closest he would come would be in 2009-10 when he played in 79. For the rest of his career, he never played 82 games in a season. 

After playing 1013 games, scoring 215 goals and 545 points, Derick Brassard is hanging the skates up. 

Congrats on a long career. 

What do you think? Please share your thoughts on our forum.

More From THN Columbus