New Jersey Devils goalkeeper Corey Crawford, after taking an indefinite Friday leave from the team on Friday for personal reasons, announced his retirement on Saturday.
“I was lucky to have a long career playing professional hockey for a lifetime. I wanted to continue my career, but I think I gave my all to hockey and decided it was time to retire. “I would like to thank the New Jersey Devils for understanding and supporting my decision,” Crawford said in a statement on Saturday.
“I would like to thank the Chicago Blackhawks for giving me the chance to live my childhood dream. I am proud to have won two Stanley Cups in Chicago. Thank you to all my teammates and coaches over the years. “I also thank the fans for making this wonderful game what it is. I am happy and excited to move on to the next chapter of my life with my family.”
Crawford, 36, who signed a two-year deal with the Devils last off-season, averaging $ 3.9 million a year, had not practiced since the training camp opened last week. last. His absences were first described as “maintenance days” by coach Lindy Ruff, before the team said it would take its personal days on Wednesday and Thursday.
He has been the Blackhawks’ starting goalkeeper since 2010-11 – and helped them to two Stanley Cup championships – but the team has decided not to re-sign him this season.
Crawford ended his career as a Blackhawks in third place in franchise history, with 260 career victories, followed by only Tony Esposito and Glenn Hall. Crawford is the leader of the Blackhawks franchise in postseason victories (52) and is the only goalkeeper in the history of the team with several Stanley Cups.
“Corey has an unforgettable place in our organization, in the hearts of our fans and in the history of sports in Chicago,” Blackhawks said in a statement. “We congratulate Corey on a career as a Hall of Fame-worthy player – one we celebrate with him today as a member of the Blackhawks family forever. pillar in our local community throughout his career. “
The Devils have 24-year-old goalkeeper Mackenzie Blackwood, who was re-signed with a three-year, $ 8.4 million contract before training camp. They also have three other goalkeepers on their camp list – Scott Wedgewood (24 games in the NHL experience), Gilles Senn (two games) and Evan Cormier, who has not played any NHL games.