Ryan Reaves announces retirement from NHL after 16 seasons

One of hockey’s legendary tough guys has officially dropped the gloves for the last time.

On Wednesday, longtime forward Ryan Reaves announced via social media that he is retiring from the NHL after a 16-year career.

Reaves, 39, played 50 games last season for the San Jose Sharks, scoring three goals and no assists while earning five fighting majors.

The Winnipeg native was initially selected out of the Western Hockey League’s Brandon Wheat Kings in the fifth round of the 2005 NHL Entry Draft by the St. Louis Blues. After three-plus seasons playing mostly for the American Hockey League’s Peoria Rivermen, Reaves made his NHL debut for the Blues in the 2010-11 season, scoring two goals and two assists for four points over 28 games while getting into eight fights and racking up 78 penalty minutes.

Reaves went on to play the next six seasons almost exclusively with the Blues, leading the team in penalty minutes five times while compiling a total of 48 fighting majors.

Ahead of the 2017-18 season, Reaves was traded to the Pittsburgh Penguins, and was traded again to Vegas Golden Knights midway through that season. He would go on to play for the New York Rangers, Minnesota Wild, and Toronto Maple Leafs before finishing his career with San Jose.

In his social media post, written as a letter to the sport of hockey, Reaves reflected on his time in the NHL.

“I learned at a young age that I just wanted to lay people out,” Reaves wrote. “The physical part of sports was what I was always drawn to. I knew that’s what I always wanted, but tell 10-year-old Reavo he was going to play in the NHL for 16 seasons? I don’t think he’s believe you.”

“I may not be on the ice anymore, but I know I will always be close to hockey in one way or another,” Reaves continued. “You can rest easy knowing the corners are a little safer today. Mic drop, gloves drop. Reavo out.”

Reaves finishes his NHL career with 66 goals and 74 assists for 140 points over 962 games played, while racking up 1,137 penalty minutes and 94 regular season fights.