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17-Year Veteran Retires From The NHL At 35 Years Old To Pursue A New Career In Hockey

Originally posted on Hockey Latest | By Daniel Lucente | Last updated May 15, 2025 3:31 PM ET

After a brilliant 17-year career, Sam Gagner has decided to call it quits and retire from the sport as a player, while taking up a new job with the Ottawa Senators.

The Ottawa Senators added two important members to their hockey operations staff, general manager and president of hockey operations Steve Staios said Thursday.

New to the Senators' front office is former NHL forward Sam Gagner, who has been named director of player development.

'Sam had an incredible career as a player and we look forward to launching his next chapter,' says Staios. 'A true character individual, Sam has contributed to the success of his organizations, both on and off the ice.'

Gagner's three Canadian NHL clubs he played for included the Jets, Oilers and Canucks

Gagner, 35, recently completed a solid 17-year playing career, appearing in 1,043 NHL games and recording 529 points (197 goals, 332 assists) for seven clubs, including Edmonton, Vancouver, and Winnipeg.

He was selected seventh overall by the Oilers in the 2007 draft. Gagner concluded his playing career in 2024-25 with Belleville, recording 10 points in 19 games.

Matt Turek has also been appointed as the new general manager of the Belleville Senators, the club's AHL affiliate. Along with his GM responsibilities, Turek will assist with the larger picture of player personnel decisions within the organization.

A Hamilton, Ontario, product, he joins the team with rich scouting and GM experience, including three years as GM of the OHL's Hamilton/Brantford Bulldogs from 2022-2025.

Turek first joined the Bulldogs in 2015-16 as a scout and was eventually promoted to director of player personnel, aiding in the construction of the club's 2018 and 2022 OHL championship clubs.

Turek has also scouted for the Montreal Canadiens at the OHL level. We would like to take the time to wish both these gentlemen great success in their new career paths within the NHL.

This article first appeared on Hockey Latest and was syndicated with permission.

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