Kevin Shattenkirk Announces Retirement From NHL – Hockey Writers – NHL News

Kevin Shattenkirk, a 14-season NHL veteran, announced his retirement from the NHL on Tuesday (Dec. 10) on social media. The right-handed defenseman was a free agent after 61 games with the Boston Bruins in 2023-24.

Thank you for my favorite game. ✌🏼 Deuces pic.twitter.com/QYvpHlOOhk

– Kevin Shattenkirk (@shattdeuces) December 10, 2024

Shattenkirk's NHL career

Shattenkirk began his NHL career in the 2010–11 season after being selected 14th overall by the Colorado Avalanche in the 2007 draft class. His time with the Avalanche was short-lived, however, as he was involved in a blockbuster trade in his rookie campaign.

On Feb. 19, 2011, faced the St. Louis Blues and forward Chris Stewart and a conditional second round pick 2006 first overall pick Erik Johnson, forward Jay McClemment, and a conditional first round pick. Without trading someone of Johnson's caliber, the Blues did well with this deal.

Soon, Shattenkirk became one of the most outstanding defensemen in the NHL, although he showed signs of this with 26 points in 46 games as a member of the Avalanche. Shattenkirk finished 18th in the Norris Trophy voting—despite being picked fifth—in his second campaign. He spent a total of seven seasons in St. Louis.

His time in Blue ended in 2016-17 when he was traded to the Washington Capitals at the trade deadline. From there, it was difficult to find a long-term home. He was bought out by the New York Rangers before the 2019-20 season and picked up by the Tampa Bay Lightning. But that's where he found his biggest playoff success.

Related: Shattenkirk Trade Was Key to Blues' Success

In the post-season bubble format of COVID-19, he and the Lightning went the distance to capture the first Stanley Cup of his career. Shattenkirk has 13 points in 25 games, seventh among all defensemen.

Shattenkirk signed his last notable payday with the Anaheim Ducks a few months later, a three-year deal worth $11.7 million in total. He rode off into the sunset after his aforementioned brief stint in Boston in 2023-24.

Overall, Shattenkirk had 103 goals and 381 assists for 484 points in 952 games. He received at least one Norris Trophy vote three times in his career (2011-12, 2014-15, and 2016-17), all of which were seasons he spent part or all of in St. Louis. Speaking of the Blues, his 258 points are seventh among defensemen.