Chicago Blackhawks defenseman Brian Campbell announced today his retirement following 17 seasons in the National Hockey League. Campbell will join the Chicago Blackhawks business operations department, assisting with various marketing, community relations and youth hockey initiatives.
"We are excited that Brian will continue to be a part of the organization," said Blackhawks President & CEO John McDonough. "After a brilliant career on the ice, Brian will remain an important part of our franchise."
Campbell, 38, finished his NHL career with 504 career points (87G, 417A) in 1,082 games. He played 295 games in four seasons with the Blackhawks (2008-2011 and 2016-17), tallying 24 goals and 110 assists. He was a member of the Blackhawks 2010 Stanley Cup Champion team and collected the primary assist on Patrick Kane's series-clinching goal. On January 22, 2017, he recorded his 500th career point and on April 5, 2016, appeared in his 1,000th career NHL game. The defenseman appeared in four NHL All Star Games: 2007, 2008, 2009 and 2012.
"I'm excited to transition into the next step in both my professional career and life," said Campbell. "I'm grateful to the countless number of teammates, coaches, team staff and fans that I have crossed paths with throughout my playing career in Chicago, Buffalo, Florida and San Jose. The Blackhawks organization has allowed me to take on this challenge and I'm thankful for this new opportunity."
A native of Strathroy, Ontario, Campbell played in the Stanley Cup Playoffs in nine seasons, appearing in a total of 107 games, scoring nine goals and adding 35 assists. The defenseman had a streak of 423 consecutive games played that began in March 23, 2011 and ended on December 29, 2016.
Originally selected in the sixth round (156th overall) of the 1997 NHL Draft by Buffalo, Campbell began his NHL career with the Sabres where he played eight seasons (1999-2004, 2005-2008) and scored 176 points (32G, 144A) in 391 games. Campbell played five seasons with Florida (2011-2016) where he scored 175 points (28G, 147A) in 376 games and won the 2012 Lady Bing Trophy (Most Sportsmanlike). He was the first defenseman to win the Lady Bing Trophy since Red Kelly in 1954. He also played 20 games during the 2007-08 season with the San Jose Sharks.
Campbell and his wife, Lauren, and their two daughters, Harper and Everley, will continue to reside in the western suburbs.
