After 13 NHL seasons and 927 NHL games, defenseman Dan Girardi has announced his retirement. The 35-year-old spent 11 seasons with the New york Rangers and two with the Tampa Bay Lightning before becoming an unrestricted free agent on July 1st of this year.
"I would like to thank all my coaches, family, friends and teammates for supporting me throughout my entire hockey career," Girardi said. "I want to thank the New York Rangers for giving me a chance to fulfill my childhood dream of playing in the NHL. Throughout those 11 incredible years I have made so many friends on and off the ice. I bled Ranger blue and gave it my all for my team, the city and the Garden faithful. I also want to thank the Tampa Bay Lightning for helping me continue my career by giving me a chance to play for such an amazing organization, city and fan base. The last two years in Tampa Bay have been so much fun for me and my family. I will always fondly remember my time here. Finally, I want to thank my wife Pamela for always being there for me and holding down the fort and to Landon and Shaye for always being daddy's No. 1 fans."
Girardi was bought out of the remaining three years of his contract with the Rangers in June of 2017 due to declining play and the need for cap space. Just a few weeks later, he signed a two-year deal with the Tampa Bay Lightning, which ran out this year. Over his 927 games, Giradi managed 56 goals and 208 assists for 264 career points. He was never drafted, and instead signed a contract with the Rangers as a free agent in 2005. He spent about one-and-a-half seasons with the Rangers' AHL affiliate before getting his shot in the NHL, and never looked back.
"I gave my all every single night and left it all out on the ice. Now it's time for the next chapter of my life to begin and I couldn't be happier...and so is my body."
Girardi holds the current record for most blocked shots in an NHL career with 1954 (according to NHL.com)
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