NHL center Kyle Turris has announced his retirement from hockey and will be joining the BCHL’s Coquitlam Express as a special advisor.
Turris, now 33, spent 14 seasons in the NHL, finishing his career with 168 goals, 257 assists and 425 points in 776 games. Drafted third overall by the then-Phoenix Coyotes, he spent his first three seasons with them before he was dealt to the Ottawa Senators for David Rundblad and a second-round pick in 2011-12. He then spent parts of seven seasons with Ottawa, where he made a name for himself as a two-way center capable of playing a top-six role.
He was then dealt to the Nashville Predators in 2017-18 as part of the blockbuster three-team Matt Duchene trade with the Senators and Colorado Avalanche, and Turris immediately signed a six-year contract extension with a $6 million cap hit. He proceeded to struggle in Nashville and couldn’t live up to that big contract. He was bought out just two years into his new deal. He finished his career with a two-year stint with the Edmonton Oilers, where he was in and out of the lineup due to injuries.
Turris will join the Coquitlam Express of the BCHL as a special advisor to general manager Tali Campbell, as well as a player development coach. Turris spent two years with the Express from 2005-07 when the team played in Burnaby, with 102 goals, 91 assists and 193 points in just 110 games over two seasons with the team.
“The Express organization played a key role in my personal and professional growth,” said Turris in a statement released by the Express. “I am excited about having the opportunity to work with Tali and Patrick as they help each player develop individually while pursuing the Fred Page Cup as a team.”
Turris also led the Express to a league title and Jr. A Championship in his rookie season with the Express in 2005-06.
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