Former St. Louis Blues Defenseman Kevin Shattenkirk Announces Retirement

Former St. Louis Blues defenseman Kevin Shattenkirk announced his retirement from the NHL on Wednesday.

“After 14 amazing years in the National Hockey League, I have decided to retire,” Shattenkirk said in a statement. “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.”

Shattenkirk, 35, played 14 seasons in the league, most recently with the Boston Bruins last season.

Shattenkirk was the 14th pick in the 2007 NHL Draft by the Colorado Avalanche and played 46 games in Denver before a blockbuster trade in the early hours of Feb. 19, 2011 with the St. Louis Blues that brought him to the Gateway City, along with forward Chris Stewart, for defenseman Erik Johnson, the No. 1 pick in the 2006 draft, forward Jay McClement and a swap of picks.

Shattenkirk would have his best seasons with the Blues from 2011-17, playing in 425 of his 952 career regular-season games and collecting 258 (59 goals, 199 assists) of his 484 points; he also had 28 points (four goals, 24 assists) in 47 playoff games with the Blues.

After the Blues knew they wouldn’t sign Shattenkirk, late in the 2016-17 season, he was traded to the Washington Capitals for a package of forwards Zach Sanford and Brad Malone, a 2017 first-round draft pick and a conditional second-round draft pick in 2019. He signed a three-year contract with his hometown New York Rangers in the offseason of 2017 before being traded to the Tampa Bay Lightning for the 2019-20 season and won a Stanley Cup. He signed a three-year deal with the Anaheim Ducks and finished out his career last season with the Bruins.

“I would like to begin by saying thank you to the seven organizations that trusted me to represent their teams and cities,” Shattenkirk said in the statement. “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 me 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 favorite 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.”

At the international level, Shattenkirk helped the United States to a silver medal while being named best defenseman at the 2007 IIHF Under-18 World Championship and tournament All-Star honoree. He represented USA at the IIHF World Junior Championship (2009), IIHF World Championship (2011) and 2014 Olympic Games in Sochi with former Blues David Backes and T.J. Oshie, and St. Louisan Paul Stastny.

Shattenkirk played college hockey at Boston University and won the NCAA championship in 2009, assisting on the overtime game-winning goal to help secure the title for the Terriers.

“I can proudly say that I have accomplished most of my career goals,” Shattenkirk said. “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.”