Patrik Elias announced today that he’ll be retiring from the NHL. Elias had been skating, rehabbing his knee for a potential return, but in the end he decided to hang them up.
He spent his entire 20 year NHL career with the New Jersey Devils
Andrew Gross: Elias will drop the ceremonial puck on Tuesday and will be skating for their pre-game warm-up on their final home game of the season against the Islanders on April 8th.
Chris Ryan of NJ.com: Statement from Elias.
“After 18 seasons, I am pleased to announce that I will be retiring from the National Hockey League, having played my last game with the New Jersey Devils.
For the past few months, I have weighed this decision both physically and mentally. I am happy to say this provides me and my family with closure.
I came here 22 years ago to play hockey- to do what I loved since I was 5 years old. I was able to play with great teammates, embrace the camaraderie and team spirit of being a Devil, and bring home a Stanley Cup on two occasions.
I want to thank the ownership and management for not only supporting me, but allowing me the time to make this difficult decision. It is extraordinarily humbling that my number 26 will hang next to four of my former teammates. I am so proud to have played for one team, one organization over the course of my entire career.
I want to also thank my family and friends.
Off the ice, you grow great relationships, and I’ve been here 22 years. I’ve been welcomed into the community and New Jersey has truly become a second home to me and my family.
To the fans, it is nice to know how much I meant to them, and I want them to know how much they have meant to me.
I am looking forward to this week, my last lap and next year’s celebration.
Lastly, I want to express my love and thanks to my parents, my lovely wife, Petra, and my beautiful daughters, Sophia and Kaila.”
Tom Gulitti: “Sure many will debate against it, but i think Elias is a Hall of Famer. His numbers would’ve been higher on a more offensive-minded team.”
Andrew Gross of The Record: Looking some numbers from Elias’ career
“2 – Stanley Cup championships: 2000, 2003
4 – Stanley Cup Final appearances: also 2001, 2012
4 – NHL All-Star selections
4 – Olympic appearances for Czech Republic
8 – Team record for career hat tricks
16 – Career overtime goals, second most in NHL history
18 – Seasons with the Devils
23 – Team record for points in one playoff run: nine goals, 14 assists in 25 games in 2001
26 – His uniform number, which will be retired next season, the fifth Devil to be so honored
45 – Team record for career playoff goals
80 – Team record for career playoff assists
80 – Team record for most game-winning goals
96 – Points scored in 2000-01, a team record
110 – Team record for career power-play goals
125 – Team record for career playoff points
333 – Team record for power-play points
408 – Team record for career goals
617 – Team record for career assists
1,025 – Team record for career points
1,240 – Regular-season games played, third most in team history”