Longtime NHL center Paul Stastny has announced his retirement after 17 seasons in the league.
The 37-year-old made the decision quietly in early September and did not make any formal announcement, telling The Athletic “I kind of came into the league quietly, and I’m leaving the league quietly. That’s the way I like it.”
Paul Stastny has decided to retire after 17 NHL seasons. But I suspect it’s not the last we’ve seen of him in hockey. My interview with Stastny for @TheAthletic ⤵️ https://t.co/fxrrL1wS68
— Pierre LeBrun (@PierreVLeBrun) October 31, 2023
Stastny was drafted by the Colorado Avalanche in the second round in 2005 and went on to play eight seasons with the team. He made an immediate impact, setting the NHL rookie record with a 20-game point streak in 2006-07 and finishing second in Calder Trophy voting.
Over his time with the Avalanche, Stastny compiled 458 points (160 goals, 298 assists) in 538 games and established himself as a talented two-way center.
After leaving Colorado, Stastny went on to play for the St. Louis Blues, Winnipeg Jets, Vegas Golden Knights, and most recently the Carolina Hurricanes.
He was known as a versatile, reliable player who contributed in many different roles, from top-line center to depth forward. Stastny reached a number of milestones over his long career, including playing in his 1,000th NHL game in 2021.
In the playoffs, Stastny contributed 73 points (30 goals, 43 assists) in 118 games.
He helped the Hurricanes reach the second round last season, scoring the overtime series-clinching goal against the New York Islanders. While he never won a Stanley Cup, Stastny competed internationally for the United States, winning silver at the 2010 Olympics.
Stastny comes from a famous hockey family. His father Peter is a Hall of Famer who starred for the Quebec Nordiques and finished his career with the St. Louis Blues. Uncles Anton and Marian Stastny also enjoyed NHL careers, giving Paul deep roots in the sport.
Though he never sought the spotlight, Paul Stastny had a remarkably consistent and durable NHL career spanning 17 seasons. He retires with 822 points over 1,145 regular season games.
Stastny’s low-key personality mirrored his quiet retirement announcement, perfectly encapsulating his understated but highly effective approach to the game.
