Defenceman Michael Stone has officially announced his retirement from professional hockey.
The Calgary Flames are officially down one defenceman, as Winnipegger Michael Stone has decided to call it quits.
Announcing his retirement following 12 NHL seasons and 552 regular season games, Stone will be staying with the Flames organization, as he transitions into a player development role beginning for the 2023-24 season.
"I feel very happy to be able to leave the game the way I have and directly into this role with the Flames organization," Stone said. "I believe it would have been a lot more difficult had this opportunity not been available."
"I'm excited to learn and gain some new experiences in a different capacity in the NHL," he added. "I'm looking forward to working with the young defencemen and help them achieve their ultimate goal of playing with the Calgary Flames."
The Kirkfield-Westwood product began his career with the Phoenix Coyotes in 2012 and stuck with the organization through 314 games, before being dealt to Calgary in 2017. He ended his career with 41 goals and 145 points in those 552 games played.
"The combination of Michael just finishing his NHL playing career and that his specialty is defensemen specific was exactly the role that we have been trying to fill," Flames Director of Player Development Ray Edwards said. "After drafting Etienne (Morin) and Axel (Hurtig), that's a good area for Mike to jump into immediately and assisting with our Wranglers defensemen prospects. It's a perfect fit."
The 2008 third round pick will join Martin Gelinas, Rebecca Johnston and others as a member of the player development team.
Stone walks away with roughly $20 million in estimated career earnings.