Goalie Halak retires from NHL after 17 seasons

Goaltender Jaroslav Halak officially announced his status from the NHL aft 17 seasons connected Friday, much than 2 years removed from his past game.

Halak, 40, past played a crippled connected April 13, 2023, with the New York Rangers. He past spent clip with the Carolina Hurricanes aboriginal successful the 2023-24 play connected a nonrecreational tryout but was released earlier competing successful a game.

"Last twelvemonth I completed summertime grooming ... but erstwhile thing came of it, I told myself it was pointless. After that I didn't adjacent effort anymore," Halak told Slovakia's Dennik Sport, per a translation. "I'm officially ending my career. I would similar to convey my family, friends, fans and particularly my woman Petra, who has been by my broadside my full career."

A two-time William M. Jennings Trophy Award victor arsenic the goalie connected the squad that allowed the fewest goals successful a season, Halak posted a 295-189-69 grounds with 53 shutouts, a 2.50 goals-against mean and .915 prevention percent successful 581 vocation games (555 starts). He has played with the Montreal Canadiens, St. Louis Blues, Washington Capitals, New York Islanders, Boston Bruins, Vancouver Canucks and Rangers.

"It's been 2 years and I've travel to presumption with not reaching 300 (wins)," Halak said. "Looking backmost connected my career, it's been a bully one. It would person been nicer with 300 wins, but I'll beryllium blessed with 295."

Halak besides played for his autochthonal Slovakia astatine the Olympics successful 2010 and 2014 and guided Team Europe to the title crippled astatine the World Cup of Hockey 2016.