Joe Pavelski is officially calling it a career. During an appearance on SiriusXM’s NHL Morning Skate on Tuesday, Pavelski announced his retirement after 18 seasons.
When the Dallas Stars were eliminated from the Stanley Cup Playoffs in June, Pavelski hinted he was likely hanging up his skates.
“I don’t want to say this is official, but, you know, the plan is not to be coming back. There’ll be more to come on that,” Pavelski said at the time. “Everything’s still raw, like nothing official. There’ll be more words and I’m going to need a little bit of time to really put it together and figure it out that way.”
Pavelski was originally selected in the seventh round of the 2003 NHL Draft by the San Jose Sharks. He tallied 1,068 points (476 goals, 592 assists) in 1,332 career regular-season games. The star center’s 74 playoff goals are the most by an American-born player in league history and the most among active players.
During the 2024 Stanley Cup Playoffs, Pavelski became the 25th player to compete in 200 playoff games.
Pavelski had planned to remain with the Sharks during the 2019 offseason, but ended up signing a three-year, $21 million contract with the Stars that summer. In each of the last two offseasons, Pavelski signed one-year deals to remain with the Stars. He ended up playing in all 302 regular-season games during his time with Dallas.
In his final NHL season, Pavelski racked up 27 goals and 40 assists in 82 regular-season games.
After an impressive 18-season career in the NHL, Joe Pavelski has announced his retirement from professional hockey. The 38-year-old forward leaves the game as one of the most accomplished American players in history, holding the record for most playoff goals by an American player with a total of 61.
Pavelski began his career with the San Jose Sharks in 2006 after being drafted in the seventh round of the NHL Draft. He quickly made a name for himself as a reliable goal scorer and leader on the ice, earning the nickname “Captain America” for his clutch performances in big games.
Throughout his career, Pavelski played a total of 1,060 regular season games, scoring 426 goals and tallying 410 assists for a total of 836 points. He was a six-time All-Star and helped lead the Sharks to their first-ever Stanley Cup Final appearance in 2016.
In addition to his success in the regular season, Pavelski was known for his ability to elevate his game in the playoffs. His 61 playoff goals are the most by any American player in NHL history, surpassing the previous record held by Joe Mullen.
Pavelski’s impact on the game extended beyond his on-ice performance. He was known for his leadership both on and off the ice, serving as captain of the Sharks for four seasons and earning the respect of his teammates and opponents alike.
In a statement announcing his retirement, Pavelski expressed gratitude for the opportunity to play the game he loved for nearly two decades. He thanked his family, coaches, teammates, and fans for their support throughout his career.
As Pavelski hangs up his skates, he leaves behind a legacy as one of the greatest American players to ever lace up a pair of hockey skates. His record-breaking playoff performance and leadership on and off the ice will be remembered by fans for years to come.
