Simon Gagne officially announced his retirement Tuesday, bringing to an end a 14-year NHL career.
“Today, I want to thank my trainers and teammates,” the 35-year-old winger said in a statement posted on the Philadelphia Flyers’ official website. “You inspired me to surpass myself. You made me understand that you need more than talent; it takes sacrifice and discipline and you need to work harder than your rivals. I also wish to thank my fans. Every evening, you energized me and inspired me to perform.”
Gagne spent 11 seasons with Philadelphia, the team that selected him with the 22nd overall pick in the 1998 NHL Draft. He collected 264 goals and 535 points during his Flyers tenure — ranking ninth and 10th, respectively, in franchise history — and earned All-Star nods in 2001 and 2007.
After brief stints with the Tampa Bay Lightning and Los Angeles Kings — plus a 27-game stop back in Philly in 2012-13 — Gagne closed out his career last season with the Boston Bruins.
Gagne sat out the 2013-14 season as he recovered from head, neck and groin injuries, then took a leave of absence from the Bruins just two months into the 2014-15 campaign, citing personal reasons. He officially left the team one month later.
“The last month has been extremely difficult for me with my father being sick and his passing,” the veteran forward said in January. “To play in the NHL, you have to be 100 percent mentally, emotionally and physically committed to the game. At this time, I know that I cannot be close to those levels. The Bruins organization and my teammates have been great to my family and I during this time.
“When I decided not to return this season, I spoke to (former Bruins general manager Peter Chiarelli) and assured him that I did not want the organization or my teammates to be impacted. Together we made the decision that my status would be changed so that the team could have a full active roster. In addition, I would like to thank the fans and the NHL family for all of the support that they have given my family and I during this difficult time — it has truly meant a lot.”
Gagne played in 23 games with the Bruins, scoring three goals and adding one assist.
Thumbnail photo via Winslow Townson/USA TODAY Sports Images
