Ryan Getzlaf will retire from the NHL at the end of this season, the Anaheim Ducks forward announced Tuesday.
The 36-year-old has 282 goals and 1,013 points in 17 seasons, all for the Ducks, and 31 points (three goals, 28 assists) in 49 games this season.
“It’s been an honor to play in the NHL and spend my entire professional career with one organization,” Getzlaf said. “None of this would have been possible without my family, who offered me unwavering love and support every step of the way.”
The Ducks (28-31-12) play their final home game against the St. Louis Blues on April 24 and end the season at the Dallas Stars on April 29. They are 14 points behind the Vegas Golden Knights for second wild card in the Western Conference Stanley Cup Playoffs.
Getzlaf, the 19th pick in the 2003 NHL Draft, is first in team history in games (1,150), assists (731), overtime goals (11) and power play assists (254). He is their playoff leader in goals (37), assists (83) and points (120), including 17 points (seven goals 10 assists) in 21 games when Anaheim won the Stanley Cup in 2007.
Getzlaf was named captain of the Ducks on October 4, 2010. He is one of 12 players in NHL history to captain the same team for 10 years and score 1,000 points and one of three captains active in doing so (Sidney Crosby Pittsburgh Penguins and Alex Ovechkin capitals from Washington).
“Thank you to our owners, Henry and Susan Samueli, for leading an organization committed to success on the ice, but more importantly, to having a positive impact on our community and those in need,” Getzlaf said. “A special thank you to the general managers, coaches, support staff, teammates and of course our fans. Playing for the Ducks and living in Orange County is an athlete’s dream, and that’s thanks in large part to you. Thank you all.”
Getzlaf is one of 13 players in NHL history to win the Stanley Cup and two Olympic gold medals. He won gold with Canada at the Olympic Games in Vancouver in 2010 and Sochi in 2014.
“We are so proud of everything Ryan has accomplished in his incredible 17 years playing for the Ducks,” Henry and Susan Samueli said. “While we will all remember his on-ice leadership qualities, it was his community outreach that cemented his legacy in Orange County. Along with spearheading the Ducks Learn to Play program and many other organizational charitable initiatives, he launched his own such event with the annual Getzlaf Shootout to benefit CureDuchenne, raising over $4.27 million to date.
“Congratulations, Ryan. You have been our leader, soul and captain, leaving an indelible mark on our franchise that Ducks fans everywhere will never forget.”
