Long-time defenceman Marc Staal has announced his retirement after 17 years in the National Hockey League with four different organizations.
Earlier this summer, veteran defenceman Marc Staal became an unrestricted free agent and his future not only in the NHL, but professional hockey in general was unclear. But now, Staal has made his decision on the future of his playing career.
According to Peter Baugh, Marc Staal has decided to hang up the skates after over 1,100 games as an NHL defenceman.
'After 1,136 NHL games, Marc Staal's playing career is done. He's joining the Rangers as a player development assistant, the team announced.' Baugh said.
The New York Rangers confirmed the news on social media, congratulating Marc Staal on a great career and announced that he will be joining the organization as a Player Development Assistant.
Staal, 37, was drafted 12th overall by the New York Rangers back in 2005. He went on to play 13 seasons with the Rangers between 2007 and 2020, helping them reach the Stanley Cup Final in 2014 where they ultimately fell to the Los Angeles Kings.
After his time with the New York Rangers, Staal moved on to the Detroit Red Wings, spending two seasons with the Original Six club before signing with the Florida Panthers as a free agent in the summer of 2022. Last summer, also as a UFA, Staal signed a one-year deal with the Philadelphia Flyers and would appear in 35 games for them in his final NHL season.
In 1,136 regular-season games with the Rangers, Red Wings, Panthers and Flyers, the Thunder Bay native had 234 points (53 goals, 181 assists) and 537 penalty minutes. Meanwhile, he also registered 20 points in 128 games during the Stanley Cup Playoffs.
