Erik Cole has officially retired.
The Carolina Hurricanes made the announcement on Wednesday, stating that Cole signed a ceremonial contract with the NHL team and retired as a member of the Hurricanes.
Now 38 years old, Cole played 892 regular season games in the NHL, scoring 265 goals and 532 points. A number of his best seasons occurred while he was with the Hurricanes, reaching 30 goals with the 2005-06 Stanley Cup winning team.
His best season came with the Montreal Canadiens in 2011-12, as he scored 35 goals and 61 points.
His last season was in 2014-15. He began the year in Dallas and was moved to Detroit at the trade deadline, but a spinal cord contusion essentially meant an end to his playing career.
From the Detroit Free Press in April, 2015:
Cole revealed Wednesday that he has a spinal cord contusion severe enough doctors have cautioned him not to play again this spring.
“It stems back from my neck injury in 2006,” Cole said. “When I ran into the player in the Arizona game, I bruised my spinal cord. A spinal contusion is something that you have to let heal and obviously, it’s a pretty serious occurrence. Doctors feel I need to look out for my well-being as a person, not just as a hockey player.”
Cole is now a team ambassador for the Hurricanes.