JAY BOUWMEESTER ANNOUNCES RETIREMENT
Long-time NHL defenseman Jay Bouwmeester announced his retirement on Monday. He told TSN Hockey Insider Pierre LeBrun that he was calling it a career in an article that was written for The Athletic.
Bouwmeester's last game dates back all the way to last February versus the Anaheim Ducks when he collapsed on the bench mid-game, suffering a cardiac episode.
«Oh yeah,'' Bouwmeester said when LeBrun asked if he was done playing in the NHL. «I knew I was done essentially when it happened, to be quite honest.''
Bouwmeester played in 1240 games at the NHL level splitting time across the St. Louis Blues, Calgary Flames, and the Florida Panthers, who selected him third-overall in the 2002 NHL Draft.
The 37-year-old defenseman will end his career just 12 goals shy of 100 with 88 goals along with 336 assists for 424 points. He won the Stanley Cup in 2019 with the St. Louis Blues and also won an Olympic Gold Medal with Canada in 2014.
The fan favorite defenseman had an implantable cardioverter-defibrillator put in his chest and was required to start taking medication after the episode. He told LeBrun he is doing well for the most part, but playing hockey would not be a part of his future plans. «I'm feeling ok. I wouldn't say it's been totally smooth sailing but generally, I've been pretty good. I've generally been able to do whatever I want to do and I've stayed pretty active.''
Jay Bouwmeester quietly says goodbye to a terrific NHL career. And he's at peace with it. My interview Monday with the 17-year NHL veteran and Team Canada mainstay:https://t.co/7687GdTU0U— Pierre LeBrun (@PierreVLeBrun) January 11, 2021
Bouwmeester's last game dates back all the way to last February versus the Anaheim Ducks when he collapsed on the bench mid-game, suffering a cardiac episode.
«Oh yeah,'' Bouwmeester said when LeBrun asked if he was done playing in the NHL. «I knew I was done essentially when it happened, to be quite honest.''
Bouwmeester played in 1240 games at the NHL level splitting time across the St. Louis Blues, Calgary Flames, and the Florida Panthers, who selected him third-overall in the 2002 NHL Draft.
The 37-year-old defenseman will end his career just 12 goals shy of 100 with 88 goals along with 336 assists for 424 points. He won the Stanley Cup in 2019 with the St. Louis Blues and also won an Olympic Gold Medal with Canada in 2014.
The fan favorite defenseman had an implantable cardioverter-defibrillator put in his chest and was required to start taking medication after the episode. He told LeBrun he is doing well for the most part, but playing hockey would not be a part of his future plans. «I'm feeling ok. I wouldn't say it's been totally smooth sailing but generally, I've been pretty good. I've generally been able to do whatever I want to do and I've stayed pretty active.''
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BRENNEN BEAUDIN
JANUARY 11, 2021 (14H52) |
