Defenseman Justin Braun retires after playing 13 NHL seasons

Defenseman Justin Braun has decided to retire at age 36 after 13 NHL seasons.

Defenseman Justin Braun retires after playing 13 NHL seasons

TORONTO (AP) — Defenseman Justin Braun has decided to retire at age 36 after 13 NHL seasons.

The NHL Alumni Association announced Braun’s retirement Monday, a week and a half after he played in Philadelphia’s season finale.

Braun skated in 961 regular-season and playoff games with the San Jose Sharks, Flyers and New York Rangers. He was a key player for the Sharks when they reached the Stanley Cup Final in 2016, playing in all 24 games of their run and averaging more than 21 minutes of ice time.

Braun also helped the Rangers make the Eastern Conference final last year after they acquired him at the trade deadline from Philadelphia. He returned to the Flyers on a one-year deal, serving as mentor to many of the team's younger players.

The Minnesota native was a seventh-round pick of San Jose's in 2007. He made his NHL debut in 2010 and finished with 199 career points during the regular season and 16 more in the playoffs.

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The Associated Press