Martin Havlat, the winger who once starred for the Ottawa Senators, Chicago Blackhawks, and San Jose Sharks in numerous playoff runs, announced his retirement from the NHL on Wednesday.
Martin Havlat retires from NHL after 14 seasons
The former Senators and Sharks winger hangs up his skates.
The 35-year-old veteran released the news through the NHL Players’ Association nearly 14 months after he last played on NHL ice with the St. Louis Blues.
Havlat only skated two games with the Blues in 2015-16 before requesting they terminate his contract so he could play at home in the Czech Republic. Havlat revealed on Wednesday that injuries disrupted the final stretch of his career.
Hockey was my life, but the last few years, I just couldn’t play the way I wanted to play. My heart wanted to keep on going, but my body didn’t allow me to do it. I felt it was time. I know I’ve made the right decision. I had already undergone a shoulder surgery, a serious pelvic injury and other injuries, but my whole career I dealt with groin problems. I was able to manage the groin problems well enough that nobody would notice. But in the end, the damage was done. Some players never get hurt, but not me. I’m not complaining. I feel very fortunate to have had the career I’ve had.
Havlat finished third in Calder Trophy voting as a rookie with the Senators in 2000-01. He became a 30-goal scorer in Ottawa before the Senators traded him to Chicago before the 2006-07 season. He finished out his career with stints in Minnesota, San Jose, and St. Louis.
Havlat enjoyed strong playoff success with Chicago and Ottawa, putting up 52 points and 21 goals in 72 career playoff games. During Ottawa’s run to the Eastern Conference Final in 2002-03, Havlat put up five goals and 11 points. He also had three playoff overtime goals.
The Czech Republic native finishes his career with 242 goals, 352 assists, and 594 points.
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