Forward Kris Versteeg announced his retirement from professional hockey on Tuesday morning after an 11-year career. Versteeg was originally a fifth-round pick of the Boston Bruins during the 2004 NHL Entry Draft. During his lengthy career, the Lethbridge, Alberta native played in a total of 643 games while splitting time with the Chicago Blackhawks, Toronto Maple Leafs, Philadelphia Flyers, Carolina Hurricanes, Los Angeles Kings and Calgary Flames.
He scored 149 goals and 209 assists for 358 points. Versteeg also played in 93 Stanley Cup playoff games where he put 18 goals and 30 assists for 48 points. The highlight of the right-winger’s career was the two Stanley Cup Championships he won with the Blackhawks in 2010 and 2015. During the 2010 run, Versteeg put up six goals and eight assists for 14 points during 22 postseason games.
Versteeg Finally Hangs Up His Skates
The move comes as no surprise as Versteeg hasn’t played in the NHL since the 2017-18 season where he played in only 24 games with the Flames, recording three goals and five assists. Versteeg would go overseas the following year, playing in the KHL and SweHL. In a combined 23 games, he would tally seven goals and nine assists for 16 points.
The 33-year-old would try to make a comeback to the NHL this season after signing an AHL deal, joining on with the Rockford IceHogs. He would only see action in six games while registering one assist before heading overseas to play in a mere two games in Slovakia. Versteeg hasn’t announced what his future plans are and if he is planning to join an NHL front office.