Former San Jose Sharks captain Joe Pavelski officially announced his retirement from the NHL.
Former San Jose Sharks captain Joe Pavelski officially announced his retirement from the NHL.
The 2003 seventh-round pick went from underdog to NHL stardom. In 1,332 career games split between the Sharks and Dallas Stars, Pavelski had 476 goals and 592 assists. He was seen as a terrific player on the ice and an even better person off the ice.
Pavelski told reporters he "wasn't planning on playing" after the Stars were eliminated from the 2024 Stanley Cup Playoffs.
Before his official announcement today, Pavelski was interviewed on SiriusXM NHL Network Radio and reaffirmed that he doesn't plan to play again. Pavelski told Scott Laughlin that Sharks GM Mike Grier and he had a conversation about possibly returning.
"I've talked to Mike a little bit. They look like they are turning a corner with some of their draft picks and some of the guys they brought in," Pavelski said. "Just 13 great years in San Jose. [It is] a special place. It will always be where we got the start. There will always be a part of me there."
The 18-year veteran left the door open for another job in hockey.
"I think I am ready to step away from the game on the playing side of things and go from there," Pavelski said.
The now 40-year-old has never won a Stanley Cup but was known for some big moments in the postseason. In 134 postseason games with San Jose, he scored 48 goals and 52 assists.
"We did a lot of winning in San Jose as a group. We never got over the big hump, but we played meaningful games every season all season long," Pavelski said. "Those playoffs will always be special to me."
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