Chicago Blackhawks defender Brent Seabrook announced on Friday that his NHL career is over after 15 seasons.
“After several surgeries, countless hours of rehabilitation and training to get back on the ice to the level of my expectations, it will not be possible for me to continue playing hockey,” Seabrook said in a statement Friday. “This is what’s best for me and my family.”
Seabrook, 35, has not played in an NHL game since November 2019. He underwent surgery on both his right shoulder and both hips for a period of three months from December 2019 to February 2020. The defender ‘squeezed’ his back during a pre-training camp in January. Blackhawks team doctor Michael Terry said it was a right hip problem that prevented Seabrook from playing. Terry said the team has “tried every available conservative treatment, and nothing has worked well enough to live his life as an athlete.”
Chicago placed Seabrook on injured long-term reserve. He was signed through the 2023-24 season, with a maximum hit of $ 6.875 million and a full no-move clause.
Seabrook, a first-round pick of the Blackhawks in 2003, ended his career with 1,114 games, scoring 103 goals and 361 assists. Most important to Blackhawks fans, he played in 123 playoff games (20 goals, 39 assists) and helped the team to three Stanley Cups.
“Without Brent Seabrook, the Chicago Blackhawks wouldn’t have three Stanley Cups,” Blackhawks GM Stan Bowman said in a statement. He concludes his career not only as one of the best defenders in franchise history, but as one [of] the greatest Chicago Blackhawks of all time. We cannot thank Brent enough for what he did for the Blackhawks organization, the city of Chicago and this fan base. He will always be a part of the Blackhawks family and we wish him the best in his life after hockey. “
The Blackhawks are currently undergoing a refurb, with Bowman telling ESPN this summer that his team still has a “way to go” before it can win sustainably again. There was a commitment to play with more young players this season. However, the Blackhawks were one of the pleasant surprises in 2021. At 12-7-5, Chicago is in fourth place in the Central Division, which would qualify for the playoffs.
“I sacrificed everything for this team in our quest to win three Stanley Cups and gave everything I had for you,” Seabrook said in a statement. “I couldn’t have asked for a better fan base to play for. You, more than anyone else, kept me honest and always pushed me to get better – while also encouraging me as your All-Star and Champion. The Stanley Cup 2015 for all the fans of the United Center will be a memory I will never forget You really made Chicago a second home My family and I will be forever grateful for your love and support and I always look Looking forward to having a special relationship with you, the fans. I will always be a Blackhawk. “