Scott Gomez’s NHL days are officially over. The 36-year-old announced that he was hanging up his skates after 16 NHL seasons.
Gomez played in 1079 games with the Devils, Rangers, Canadiens, Sharks, Panthers, Blues and Senators. He scored 181 goals and 756 points during that span.
Last season, Gomez one goal and nine points in 34 games with Ottawa and St. Louis.
His best year came in 2005-06 when he scored 33 goals and 84 points in 82 games with the Devils.
Two years later, Gomez signed a seven-year $51.5 million contract with the New York Rangers, but was traded to Montreal just two years into the deal.
After three seasons in Montreal, Gomez was bought out by the Habs.
The 36-year-old won a pair of Stanley Cups with New Jersey in 1999-2000 and 2002-03. Gomez scored 10 and 12 points during those playoff years.
“This has been my life,’' said Gomez, per Alaska Dispatch News. “It’s so weird to think I’m never going to play hockey again.
“People say, ‘You’ll find something.’ But saying that, there will never be that feeling again, of even playing a preseason NHL game. You’re playing at the highest level there is.”
Gomez won the Calder Trophy in 1999-2000 and was also named to the All-Star team twice.
“You have an obligation, a responsibility to your state,’' Gomez said. “The goal, the day I left here, was I always wanted to make Alaska proud. That’s my state. That’s my people.’'