(AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez)
Ryan Reaves has retired from the NHL at age 39 after a 16-season career that made him one of the league’s most recognizable enforcers.
Reaves announced his retirement Wednesday in an Instagram post, ending a career that included 1,075 regular-season games with the St. Louis Blues, Pittsburgh Penguins, Vegas Golden Knights, New York Rangers, Minnesota Wild and Toronto Maple Leafs.
“Unfortunately, Father Time remains undefeated,” Reaves wrote. “Every hit, every fight, it’s taken its final toll on me. I love this sport more than almost anything in this world.”
The Winnipeg, Manitoba, native finished his career with 1,253 penalty minutes and 3,225 hits, which rank seventh on the NHL’s all-time list. He also recorded 98 career fights during the regular season and postseason.
Reaves Leaves Mark As NHL Enforcer
The Blues selected Reaves in the fifth round of the 2005 NHL Draft, and he spent several seasons in the minors before earning his opportunity at the NHL level.
His physical style eventually helped him establish a long career. Reaves became particularly well known during his time with Vegas after the Golden Knights acquired him during their inaugural 2017-18 season.
Reaves helped Vegas reach the Stanley Cup Final during its first season and became a popular figure among the team’s fans. He later played for the Rangers, Wild and Maple Leafs before joining the San Jose Sharks last season.
Reaves quickly became a respected veteran in San Jose’s locker room. The Sharks paired him with young star Macklin Celebrini, with Reaves sitting next to the rookie in the locker room.
His final season ended after he injured his finger against the Philadelphia Flyers on March 21. Teammate Barclay Goodrow became emotional while discussing Reaves after the game, praising him for his work ethic, leadership and presence around the team.
Reaves Ends 16-Year NHL Career.
Reaves finished his career with 1,075 games, although one source’s reference to being 38 games short of 1,000 appears inconsistent with his official career total.
He had hoped to continue playing and reach the milestone, but ultimately decided to end his career after 16 seasons.
“I never thought this day would come,” Reaves wrote. “Well, I thought I was invincible. I thought I could play forever, but like all good things, it must come to an end.”
Reaves also indicated that his relationship with hockey will continue even though he will no longer play.
“I may not be on the ice anymore, but I know I will always be close to hockey in one way or another,” he wrote.
Three NHL Players Still Without Visors
Reaves’ retirement also leaves three NHL players who still do not wear visors: Nashville Predators center Ryan O’Reilly, Dallas Stars forward Jamie Benn and Minnesota Wild defenseman Zach Bogosian.
The NHL and NHL Players’ Association introduced a visor requirement for new players in 2013, but the agreement grandfathered in players who had already entered the league without one.
With Reaves now stepping away, O’Reilly, Benn and Bogosian remain among the final players from that grandfathered group.
