Chicago Blackhawks defender Brent Seabrook announced Friday that his NHL career is over after 15 seasons.
“After several surgeries, countless hours of rehabilitation and training to get back on the ice to my expectations, I will not be able to continue playing hockey,” Seabrook said in a statement Friday. “This is the best for me and my family.”
Seabrook, 35, has not played in an NHL game since November 2019. For a period of three months, from December 2019 to February 2020, he underwent surgery on his right shoulder as well as both hips. The defender “changed” his back in a pre-training session in January. Blackhawks doctor Michael Terry said there is a problem with his right hip that prevents Seabrook from playing. Terry said the team “tried all the conservative treatments available and that nothing worked well enough for him to live his life as an athlete.”
Chicago placed Seabrook in the long-term injured reserve. He was signed in the 2023-24 season, with a $ 6.875 million hit and a full motion clause.
Seabrook, a Blackhawks first-round pick in 2003, ended his career after playing 1,114 games and scoring 103 goals and 361 assists. Most importantly for Blackhawks fans, he played in 123 playoff games (20 goals, 39 assists) and helped the team to three Stanley Cups.
“Without Brent Seabrook, the Chicago Blackhawks would not have three Stanley Cups,” GM Bowhaw Stan Bowman said in a statement. “He ends his career as not only one of the best defenders in the history of the franchise, but one [of] the greatest Chicago Blackhawks of all time. We can’t thank Brent enough for what he did for the Blackhawks, the city of Chicago, and this fan base. He will always be part of the Blackhawks family and we wish him well in hockey. “
The Blackhawks are currently rebuilding, Bowman told ESPN this summer that his team has “ways to go” before it can win again in a sustainable way. He has committed to playing more young players this season. However, the Blackhawks were one of the pleasant surprises of 2021. At 12-7-5, Chicago is in fourth place in the Central Division, which would qualify for the playoffs.
“We sacrificed everything for this team in our attempt to lift three Stanley Cups and gave them everything we had for you,” Seabrook said in a statement. “I couldn’t have asked for a better fan base to play for. You, more than anyone, kept me honest and always pushed me to be better – while cheering me on as an All-Star and Champion. in 2015 in front of all the fans at United Center will be a memory I will never forget. You really made Chicago your second home. My family and I will be forever grateful for your love and support and look forward to having a special relationship with you fans. I will always be a Blackhawk. “