Former Hurricane Derek Stepan Announces Retirement

After a 13-year career, former Carolina Hurricane Derek Stepan announce his retirement on Tuesday. The 33-year old spent the last two seasons in Raleigh, helping guide Carolina to back-to-back Metropolitan Division titles, but entered free agency this offseason.

Stepan entered training camp last season on a professional tryout, but, after tying for the team lead in goals, signed a one-year, $750,000 deal.

“After 13 years in the NHL I’ve decided to retire. I want to thank my family and friends for always supporting me and allowing me to live my dreams,” said Stepan in a release from the NHLPA. “I want to thank the four organizations I had the privilege of playing for, and to my teammates for allowing me to be part of their family. Finally, I want to thank the fans, it was an honor to play in front of you. I’m forever grateful for this game and I look forward to the next chapter.”

Stepan appeared in 145 games with the Hurricanes, tallying 14 goals and 17 assists. During the 2022-2023 campaign, he finished with five goals and seven assists in 84 games, including 11 postseason contests.

He was originally selected by the New York Rangers in the 2008 NHL Draft before spending two seasons at the University of Wisconsin.

Stepan made his NHL debut on October 9, 2010, where he became the first New York Ranger and the fourth player in league history to record a hat trick in their debut.

He would spend parts of seven seasons with the Rangers before stops in Arizona, Ottawa, and Carolina.

For his career, Stepan played in 1,010 NHL contests, tallying 202 goals and 368 assists.