Nick Holden has retired from the National Hockey League (NHL) following a 12-year career. The 36-year-old will join the Vegas Golden Knights development staff, where he will work with defensive prospects.
Holden spent the 2022-23 season with the Ottawa Senators, where he registered two goals and 14 assists for 16 points in 65 games while averaging 16:42 of time on ice. He also added 69 blocked shots and 79 hits.
The St. Albert, Alberta product rejoins the Golden Knights, this time as a staff member. Holden spent three seasons with Vegas from 2018-21. He appeared in 139 games, registering nine goals and 22 assists for 31 points in that frame. During his time in Vegas, he averaged 18:14 of time on ice and racked up 170 blocked shots and 261 hits.’
Holden was signed by the Columbus Blue Jackets in 2008 after a show stopping performance with the Chilliwack Bruins in the Western Hockey League (WHL) that saw him tally 60 points in 70 games. He spent parts of three seasons in the American Hockey League (AHL) with the Blue Jackets affiliate at the time, the Syracuse Crunch.
He made his NHL debut in 2010-11, appearing in five games. Holden was able to find a full-time role in 2013-14, this time with the Colorado Avalanche. He notched 10 goals and 15 assists for 25 points in 54 games and ranked third among Avs’ defensemen.
Throughout his 12-year career, Holden appeared in 654 games with the Blue Jackets, Avalanche, New York Rangers, Boston Bruins, Golden Knights and Senators, where he registered 178 points, 802 blocked shots and 1,253 hits.
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