Feature Photo: Getty Images
TORONTO (Dec. 10, 2024) – Kevin Shattenkirk has officially announced his retirement today from the National Hockey League following 952 regular-season NHL games and 91 playoff appearances over 14 NHL seasons.
Born in New Rochelle, New York, Shattenkirk was drafted 14th overall at the 2007 NHL Draft by the Colorado Avalanche, with whom he would make his league debut. The defenceman would go on to become a Stanley Cup champion (2019-20) while representing seven clubs over his NHL career, including the St. Louis Blues, Washington Capitals, New York Rangers, Tampa Bay Lightning, Anaheim Ducks and Boston Bruins.
Shattenkirk was a well-respected player for his offensive ability on the blue line as well as his leadership in the locker room. He used his voice to advocate for both his teammates and community over the length of his career as a member of the NHLPA Executive Board and the NHL Player Inclusion Coalition.
Making his NHL debut with the Avalanche on Nov. 4, 2010, against the Vancouver Canucks, Shattenkirk would score his first goal against the San Jose Sharks on Nov. 17, 2010, to spur a nine-game point streak. The defenceman finished his rookie season in St. Louis after a trade to the Blues, with who he would finish the season with 43 points over 72 games.
Shattenkirk played for the Blues for nearly six more seasons, surpassing the 40-point mark five times (2011-12, 2013-14, 2014-15, 2015-16, 2016-17) while being named to the 2015 NHL All-Star Game. He would help the club reach the Stanley Cup Playoffs five times and would contribute 28 points in postseason action over this period. In 2016-17, the blueliner was named a Blues alternate captain to start what would be his final season with the club before being traded on Feb. 27, 2017, to the Washington Capitals, with whom he would finish that season with a career-high 43 assists and 56 points.
Following his stint in Washington, Shattenkirk would sign with the New York Rangers as an unrestricted free agent on July 1, 2017. The homecoming for Shattenkirk would span two seasons, seeing him collect seven goals and 44 assists over 119 games with the Blueshirts.
Shattenkirk then took his talents to Tampa Bay in 2019, signing a one-year deal as a free agent with the Lightning. His time in Tampa Bay would be extremely memorable, playing a key role on a talented Bolts blueline, notching 34 points (8 goals, 26 assists) in 70 regular-season games. He would then suit up for all 25 playoff games for the Lightning to contribute 13 points, including the overtime goal in Game 4 of the Stanley Cup Final, along with veteran leadership to help the club capture the 2019-20 Stanley Cup.
Shattenkirk would then once again test the free agent waters, ultimately signing a three-year contract with the Anaheim Ducks in 2020. He was a strong veteran presence on the youthful Ducks team and would hit the ice in 212 cumulative games, compiling 14 goals and 63 assists for 77 points over his three seasons in Southern California.
His final NHL stop would be in Boston, with the defenceman signing a one-year deal in free agency with the Bruins for the 2023-24 season. He saw action in 61 games for the Bruins, notching 6 goals and 18 assists for 24 points.
Shattenkirk also enjoyed success at the international level, helping the United States to a silver medal while being named best defenceman at the 2007 IIHF Under-18 World Championship and tournament All-Star honouree. He went on to represent his country at the IIHF World Junior Championship (2009), IIHF World Championship (2011) and 2014 Olympic Games in Sochi. He also reached the pinnacle of collegiate hockey success, helping Boston University win the NCAA championship in 2009, assisting on the overtime game-winning goal to help secure the title for the Terriers.
Shattenkirk now resides in Sag Harbor, New York, with his family.
Statement from Kevin Shattenkirk:
“After 14 amazing years in the National Hockey League, I have decided to retire. I never knew hockey would take me this far. This game has had a dramatic impact in developing me into the man I am today.
I would like to begin by saying thank you to the seven organizations that trusted me to represent their teams and cities. The Colorado Avalanche, for drafting me and giving me my first opportunity in the NHL. The St. Louis Blues, and the great city of St. Louis for welcoming me and making feel at home for seven years. The Washington Capitals, for giving me a chance to make a run at winning the Stanley Cup. The New York Rangers, for fulfilling a childhood dream of playing for my favourite team. The Tampa Bay Lightning, for believing in me when maybe I didn’t fully believe in myself. Your faith and confidence rewarded me with the greatest gift of all – The Stanley Cup! The Anaheim Ducks, for trusting me to be a leader for their young players starting their careers. Finally, to the Boston Bruins, for valuing my qualities as a player and a leader in the locker room. Thank you to all of my great General Managers and coaches for treating me with respect and teaching me some great life lessons along the way.
I could never forget about the men and women behind the scenes who worked tirelessly to make sure that I had everything I needed to be successful. To every equipment manager, team services member and athletic trainer, thank you for dedicating your time to me and my family. Also, to the public relations and community service teams for creating opportunities for me to showcase my personality to the fans.
I also wanted to thank the NHLPA and its staff for always offering the players the resources we needed. I have been proud to be involved with such a unified group along my career and I look forward to seeing the union grow stronger in the future.
Thank you to my long-time strength and conditioning mentor, Ben Prentiss. My career surely would not have been as long as it was if it weren’t for you. You pushed me to levels I didn’t know existed and cared about my health and well being as much as anyone possibly could.
To my agent, Jordan Neumann, my navigator through this hockey world since I was 15 years old. Your guidance and friendship always steered me down the right path. You have become a part of my family for life. Thank you to you and George for helping me every step of the way.
I can proudly say that I have accomplished most of my career goals. I scored big goals, including a Stanley Cup final overtime goal, played in All Star games, represented my country in the Olympics, and won a Stanley Cup! What makes me even prouder when I reflect back on my career, are the countless friendships that I have made along the way. I remember early on in my career how much I loved being together for a night out or a post-game hot stove with the boys. I told myself back then that I never wanted to miss those moments. Those are the times I will most remember and cherish forever. Thank you to all my teammates, it was an honor to play with all of you.
Thank you to my older brothers, Eric and Keith. You allowed me to dream big. I always aspired to be as good as you guys were. You were always right there to support me and push me further. You guys made me a better player and a better man. Thank you to Courtney, Aarti, Charlie, Olivia, Niam, and Layla for coming to countless games and making me feel at home on the road so many times throughout my career.
To my parents, Pat and Barbara. You turned my big dreams into a reality. The level of sacrifice that you both made for us to play this game was incredible and I am eternally grateful for all you have done to help me make this dream come true. I know you will miss it as much as I will because of how invested you always were in my career. You never pushed me to do something I didn’t want to do, but you always made sure I understood that if I really wanted to achieve any success, I would need to work for it. I could not have had this wonderful career without you. Thank you!
To my incredible wife Deanna. After visiting me in St. Louis 10 years ago you made the choice to become a part of my hockey life. I am so lucky you did! Every injury, trade or healthy scratch, every cross-country move, you were always there for me. You knew when I needed sympathy or when I needed a kick in the ass. I believe you were made for this life just as much as I was and I am forever thankful that I was able to go through all of this with you by my side. I could not have done it without you. Thank you for our incredible family and for the incredible amount of love and support you have provided for all of us.
Finally, to my children, Connor, Isla and Hazel. I always thought that hockey would be the biggest part of my life until you three came along. Seeing you after games always put things into perspective, win or lose. Your unconditional love for me is my greatest gift in life. I know being away for long stretches always took a toll on you guys. I am so excited to finally be around for all the special moments as you grow up.
I want to say one final thank you to all the fans who have supported me along the way. Your passion for hockey is what made stepping onto the ice every night so much fun and playing in front of you was a privilege that I never took for granted. I am super excited for the future, and what this next chapter in life has in store for me, but the memories of the past 14 years will last a lifetime.
Thank you all from the bottom of my heart.”
