Joe Pavelski is hanging up his skates after an incredible 18-season run in the NHL, playing a whopping 1,533 games. Despite his impressive career, he never got to lift the Stanley Cup.
Pavelski, who just turned 40, shared, "This was it for me. It's been known for a while probably." He spoke just two days after the Dallas Stars were eliminated in Game 6 of the Western Conference final for the second consecutive year. "I don’t want to say this is official, but the plan is not to be coming back. Everything’s still raw. There’ll be more words, and I need a little time to figure it out."
Here's a glimpse into Pavelski’s legendary career:
- 74 playoff goals: Most by a U.S.-born player.
- 476 goals and 592 assists in 1,332 regular-season games.
- 200 postseason games: The 25th player to hit this milestone, but the only one without a Cup title.
Selected 205th overall in the seventh round by the Sharks in the 2003 draft, Pavelski made his NHL debut during the 2006-07 season. "Consummate pro," said coach Pete DeBoer, who had Pavelski as his captain in San Jose before reuniting in Dallas. "The highlight of my coaching career was working with him."
After 13 seasons with San Jose, Pavelski signed a $21 million, three-year contract with the Stars in 2019. He played in all 302 regular-season games for Dallas over the past four seasons. Despite missing two weeks in concussion protocol during last year's playoffs, Pavelski returned to deliver an unforgettable four-goal game, making him the oldest player to achieve that in NHL playoff history.
Pavelski reflected on his time with the Stars, saying, "Couldn’t ask for a better opportunity, a better group of guys to be around. There’s been a lot of different emotions down the stretch." His influence extended beyond the ice. Wyatt Johnston, the Stars' leading scorer this season, lived with Pavelski and his family. "There’s so much that I’ve learned from him," Johnston said. "It’s not just me; he’s impacted everyone in the organization."
Goalie Jake Oettinger added, "I don’t think it’ll really set in until next year when we come back for camp and he’s not there. There’s no way to fill that hole."
As Pavelski prepares to move back to Wisconsin with his family, he leaves behind a legacy of professionalism, mentorship, and resilience. Even without a Stanley Cup, his career has been nothing short of remarkable.
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