Vincent Lecavalier -- after 1,212 NHL games and one Stanley Cup title -- has retired.
“As I publicly announced at the time I was traded to the Los Angeles Kings, the 2015/16 season would be my last in the NHL,” the 36-year-old said in a statement. “I recently informed the Kings that I am stepping away from the game and will no longer play professional hockey. It is my desire and intention to retire.”
The Tampa Bay Lightning made Lecavalier the first overall pick in 1998. He won the Cup with them in 2004. He added a Rocket Richard Trophy in 2007 when he led the NHL with 52 goals.
But his production started to wane as he got into his late 20s, to the point he was left off Team Canada’s 2010 Olympic squad. In the summer of 2013, his contract was bought out by the Lightning. He then signed with the Flyers, intending to play for head coach Peter Laviolette, only for Laviolette to be fired three games into the 2013-14 season. It was not a good match between Lecavalier and the new coach, Craig Berube.
The Kings acquired Lecavalier, along with defenseman Luke Schenn, in January. They made the trade with the understanding that Lecavalier would retire this summer so that they would not be stuck with his contract, which prior to its termination ran through 2017-18 for a cap hit of $4.5 million.
“Hockey has provided me so much in my lifetime but requires an incredible commitment,” said Lecavalier. “It is now time for me to devote more time to my family.”