Blackhawks defenseman Brent Seabrook won't play again due to injuries

After 15 seasons with the Chicago Blackhawks, Brent Seabrook's career has come to an end. 

The 35-year-old defenseman announced his career is over on Friday and said he cannot continue playing due to injuries. 

"I am so proud to have played my entire 15-year National Hockey League career in Chicago with the Blackhawks. It was an honor to play the game that I love, with teammates I love, in front of fans I love, in a city that my family and I have grown to love," Seabrook said in a statement. "After several surgeries, countless hours of rehab and training to get back on the ice at the level of my expectations, it will not be possible for me to continue playing hockey. This is what is best for me and my family."

From December 2019 to February 2020, Seabrook underwent several surgeries on both of his hips and his right shoulder. He has a long-term issue with his right hip that is preventing him from returning to the ice.

Blackhawks team physician Michael Terry said in a statement that Seabrook has "tried all available conservative treatments, and nothing has worked well enough for him to live life as an athlete."

Seabrook, a three-time Stanley Cup champion, was selected by the Blackhawks 14th overall in the 2003 NHL Draft. He made his NHL debut during the 2005-06 season and amassed 464 points (103 goals, 361 assists) in 1,114 games. 

The British Columbia native earned a reputation as a clutch player in the postseason, scoring in overtime in Game 7 of the second round of the 2013 Stanley Cup Playoffs as Chicago rallied from a 3-1 series deficit to eliminate the Detroit Red Wings en route to a championship. 

Seabrook also scored the overtime goal in Game 4 of the Stanley Cup Final against the Boston Bruins to tie the series 2-2. That was a critical game for Chicago, who could've gone down 3-1 in the series if it wasn't for Seabrook.