Jesper Fast makes heartbreaking announcement on Monday morning.

This is the kind of news that you just hate to deliver, especially to start the week.

National Hockey League veteran Jesper Fast made a heartbreaking announcement on Monday morning when he revealed that his NHL career would be coming to an end prematurely at just 33 years of age. The news was no doubt devastating for Fast himself, especially when you consider the incredible trajectory that brought him to the NHL in the first place.

Fast missed all of last season after undergoing neck surgery all the way back in August of 2024, and unfortunately it is now clear that he will never return to the NHL ice.

Fast, a native of Nassjo, Sweden, was a long shot to make the NHL when he was drafted in the 6th round (157th overall) at the 2010 NHL Entry Draft. Fast would spend several years playing in the Swedish Elite League before finally getting a chance to break into the NHL during the 2013-14 regular season as a member of the New York Rangers.

Fast would quickly prove himself to be a capable player at the NHL level and would go on to spend several seasons with both the Rangers as well as the Carolina Hurricanes, scoring 91 goals and adding 157 assists for a total of 248 points over an impressive 703 game career.

Fast released a statement along with today's announcement, showing great class by paying tribute to his roots and acknowledging the teams that helped him become the player that evolved in front of our very eyes.

"I never took for granted the privilege of playing in the best league in the world," said Fast as per NHL.com. "I am grateful for all of the teammates, coaches, staff and fans from the Rangers and Hurricanes who made my time in the NHL so special, and for my family for everything they did to help me achieve and live my dream. I’d also like to thank Nässjö HC and HV71, organizations that played a vital role in my development into an NHL player."

His was an incredible underdog story and it is truly sad that it has to come to an end this way. I wish Jesper Fast all of the best in his future endeavors.