One of many NHL’s unlikeliest profitable gamers will retire on the finish of the 2024-25 season.
Chicago Blackhawks left winger Pat Maroon introduced Saturday he will likely be retiring after a 14-year profession.
He broke the information whereas chatting with Chicago Sports activities Community’s Darren Pang forward of the Blackhawks tilt with the St. Louis Blues.
“Typically you have to hand over all the things and all the things you dreamed of your complete life,” an emotional Maroon stated. “I simply know it is time for me, time for my household to start out a brand new chapter in our lives.”
Saturday’s contest in St. Louis was a particular homecoming for Maroon, particularly after his choice was revealed. In 2019, he received his and the franchise’s first Stanley Cup.
“I am simply going to complete this 12 months like each sport is my final sport, , I’ll play as laborious as I can,” he continued.
Maroon, 36, was drafted 161st general by the Philadelphia Flyers in 2007 however wasn’t promoted from the minor leagues till 2011-12 as a member of the Anaheim Geese.
He performed for the Geese for a part of 5 seasons earlier than being traded to the Edmonton Oilers in 2016. He spent practically three seasons with the Oilers till being dealt to the New Jersey Devils in 2018. That offseason, he signed with St. Louis.
That is when Maroon’s profession took off. After that magical 2019 championship, he lifted the Stanley Cup twice with the Tampa Bay Lightning in 2020 and 2021.
He was the primary participant in league historical past to win three consecutive Stanley Cups since a number of New York Islanders teammates did so from 1980-83. Maroon can be among just 12 players to win back-to-back Stanley Cups with two groups.
Maroon has recorded 125 targets, 195 assists and 320 complete factors with eight teams in his career. He cut up the 2023-24 season with the Minnesota Wild and Boston Bruins earlier than touchdown in Chicago this 12 months.
He advised Pang that regardless of being enthusiastic about his household’s future, it might be troublesome for him to stroll away from the game that has been his complete life.
“That is all I do know… it is powerful. It is laborious to undergo this stuff, you’ll be able to’t actually course of it,” Maroon stated.
