HIGHLIGHTS
- Alex Pietrangelo announces he’s stepping away from hockey due to severe hip issues
- The 35-year-old defenseman needs bilateral femur reconstruction with no guarantee of success
- Read below for details on Pietrangelo’s announcement and what it means for his Hall of Fame career
Alex Pietrangelo’s playing days are likely over.
The Vegas Golden Knights defenseman announced Monday he’s stepping away from hockey to focus on his health, with the 35-year-old acknowledging the “likelihood is low” he’ll ever suit up again. Vegas is placing the two-time Stanley Cup champion on long-term injured reserve.
“The past few years have been very challenging on my physical well-being, and I am in a difficult position with my overall playing health,” Pietrangelo said in a statement released by the Golden Knights.
GM Kelly McCrimmon revealed the brutal reality of Pietrangelo’s situation. The veteran blue-liner needs bilateral femur reconstruction in both hips, and even that comes with no guarantees.
The timing stings. Pietrangelo gutted through 71 games last season, averaging over 20 minutes a night while battling through pain that gradually became unbearable. The Golden Knights hoped rest during February’s 4 Nations Face-Off break would help, but it only highlighted how unsustainable his situation had become.
“Throughout the season, the steps that Alex needed to take to be able to play and practice began to grow and take a significant toll on his body,” McCrimmon explained.
What a run it’s been for the King City, Ontario native. Selected fourth overall by St. Louis in 2008, Pietrangelo carved out a Hall of Fame-caliber career with 637 points in 1,087 regular season games. He captained the Blues to their first Stanley Cup in 2019, then added another ring with Vegas in 2023.
The three-time All-Star sits 42nd all-time in points by a defenseman. Not bad for a guy who played through hip issues that would’ve sidelined most players years ago.
Pietrangelo’s got two years left on his seven-year, $61.6 million deal with Vegas. That $8.8 million cap hit heading to LTIR gives the Golden Knights some flexibility, and they’ve already put it to use by acquiring Mitch Marner in a blockbuster sign-and-trade with Toronto. But replacing a warrior like Pietrangelo? Good luck with that.
“He is one of the most respected players in the League, not only for his elite talent, but for his character, leadership, competitiveness, and professionalism,” McCrimmon said.
The decision wasn’t easy, but it’s the right one. At 35, with a family to think about, Pietrangelo’s choosing quality of life over grinding through more pain for diminishing returns.
“After exploring options with doctors as well as my family, it’s been advised to remove the intensity of hockey to see if my body can improve so that I can return to a normal quality of life,” Pietrangelo explained.
Hockey loses one of its premier defensemen, a guy who logged monster minutes and made it look easy. But after 17 years of punishment, Pietrangelo’s body finally said enough.
