Few will walk away from the sport of women's hockey with the long standing impact and respect of Jillian Dempsey. The 34-year-old announced her official retirement today after twelve seasons of professional hockey.
"It is bittersweet to retire from playing the game I love," Dempsey said in a social media announcement. "I feel overwhelming gratitude for the incredible journey. Thank you to everyone who has supported me and been in my corner. You know who you are."
Dempsey spent last season as a reserve with the PWHL's Boston Fleet. She played for the Montreal Victoire in the league's inaugural season, her only campaign away from the city of Boston. It was only fitting this season to see Dempsey return to the city where her career began.
Prior to the PWHL, Dempsey served as the longtime captain of the PHF/NWHL's Boston Pride wearing the 'C' for six seasons. In her eight seasons with the Pride, Dempsey captured three Isobel Cup titles and was the league's MVP in 2020.
Dempsey also spent two seasons in the CWHL, being named the 2014 CWHL Rookie of the Year and winning a Clarkson Cup title with the Boston Blades the following season.
Collegiately Dempsey spent four seasons at Harvard, captaining her team in her senior season. She was a Patty Kazmaier nominee and won a silver medal at the IIHF World Championships with Team USA in 2012.
Dempsey has long been an advocate for professional women's hockey helping to grow the game and continue the drive for a long-term sustainable league. She retires as a builder of the game, and one of the top stars of professional women's hockey from the last decade.
She remains the all-time leading scorer for the NWHL and PHF with 146 points in 142 career games.
