Former Vancouver Canucks and All-Star Goaltender Announces Retirement From the NHL

Jaroslav Halak, 40, hadn't played an NHL contest since his 2022-23 season, where he played 25 for the New York Rangers. He auditioned for an eventual late push for the Carolina Hurricanes in 2023-24, but that never happened.

Halak was selected 271st overall by the Montreal Canadiens as part of the ninth round of the 2003 NHL Draft.

He first joined his NHL roster in 2006-07 and became a Montreal fan favorite, most famously for the 2009-10 postseason when they would advance as far as the Eastern Conference Final due to him.

Following that postseason, however, he would actually receive what would become his first of many trades when Montreal shipped him out, beginning a 17-year NHL career as a journeyman for good.

He also played for the Capitals, Islanders, Bruins, Canucks, and Rangers. He was the backup in the 2021-22 season for Vancouver, suiting up for 17 games.

Halak made the all-star game once and won two NHL awards

Known for staying even-keeled and calm, Halak had a save percentage of .915 throughout his career, won the Jennings Trophy twice, and played in an All-Star Game.

Halak goes into retirement with 295 NHL regular-season wins and is one of the most successful Slovak goalies to have ever donned an NHL jersey. We wish Halak the very best in whatever he chooses to do in the future.