Breaking: Veteran of 1000+ NHL games officially retires

According to a German-language report from EHC Red Bull München of the DEL, 35 year old former NHL forward Matt Stajan is officially retiring from professional hockey.

On its website EHC Red Bull München said:

The sporty management of the triple German ice hockey champion EHC Red Bull Munich led the season-end talks with all players of the current team on April 30 and made their first personnel decisions. Accordingly, there are currently 24 players in the coming season in the squad of the Red Bulls. Captain Michael Wolf, Matt Stajan and John Mitchell end their careers. Also Derek Joslin and Tobias Eder will not wear the jersey of the Red Bulls anymore. With defenders Ryan Button and striker Justin Shugg, the talks continue.

Stajan put up 13 goals and 33 points in 52 games with EHC Red Bull München this past season, following a 15 year NHL career. In 1003 games split between the Toronto Maple Leafs and Calgary Flames, Stajan put up an impressive 146 goals and 413 points. 

He was famously part of the blockbuster trade that sent Dion Phaneuf from the Flames to the Leafs back in 2010. He might be most remembered though for an emotional penalty shot goal which he scored just days after the passing of his infant daughter. After scoring the goal Stajan pointed to the heavens as his teammates mobbed him in a whirlwind of emotion.

Check it out:

Congrats on an outstanding career, Matt and all the best in retirement.