Two-Time Stanley Cup Champion, 11-Year Veteran Announces Retirement

After taking a full year off due to a serious eye injury, he'd hoped to be able to come back this coming season. But that freak incident suffered in practice in early 2022 has unfortunately put the kibosh on those plans, and 11-year veteran forward Carl Hagelin has officially hung up the skates.

Carl Hagelin announces his retirement from professional hockey due to his eye injury, at the age of 35.

Won two Stanley Cups with the #LetsGoPens in 2016 and 2017. https://t.co/Bpk3GQglTS

— NHL News (@PuckReportNHL) August 30, 2023

Hagelin, now 35, won back-to-back Stanley Cups with the Pittsburgh Penguins in 2016 and 2017. The bottom-six winger had his career year in that first championship campaign, coming over to the Pens midseason and posting 27 points in 37 games, then going on to have a tremendous playoff run on the way to Lord Stanley's mug, with 16 points in 24 games, with a plus-9 rating. 

Hagelin made his retirement announcement on Instagram.  

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“It’s been an amazing ride, but it ends here,” Hagelin wrote. “Unfortunately, my eye injury is too severe to keep playing the game I love.

"I’m extremely grateful for all the memories hockey has given me and I’ve loved every single day of it."

Hagelin was a 6th round choice of the New York Rangers in the 2007 Draft, and played his first four seasons in Manhattan. He eventually made his way to Pittsburgh for the two Cups, then finished out his last four years in the league with the Washington Capitals. 

The two-way forward wraps up his career with 110 goals and 296 points in 713 NHL games. Almost always a plus-player, he finishes with a tremendous plus/minus of +119. 

We wish Hagelin good health, and the best in retirement. 

Photo: Steve Roberts-USA TODAY Sports