After 17 seasons in the NHL, Vincent Lecavalier has decided to hang up his skates – announcing his retirement.
At the age of 36, Lecavalier saw a dip in his play over the past few seasons. After being bought out by the Tampa Bay Lightning in 2012-13, he joined the Philadelphia Flyers before finishing his career with 42 games in a Kings uniform.
Over his 17 seasons, Lecavalier amassed 949 points (421g-528a) in 1,212 regular season games. He scored 30-plus goals in five straight seasons including one season of 40 goals and another where he scored 52.
His best season came in 2006-07 when he scored 108 points (52g-56a) in 82 games for the Lightning – earning him the Maurice Richard Trophy as the league’s top goal scorer.
In the playoffs, he scored 56 points (26g-30a) in 75 games with Tampa Bay, Philadelphia and Los Angeles. In 2007-08 he won the NHL Foundation Player Award as well as the King Clancy Memorial Trophy for best exemplifying leadership both on and off the ice.
As a member of the Lightning, he helped the team win their first and only Stanley Cup in 2004. He’s the second of their top line (Lecavalier, St. Louis and Richards) to retire.
He finishes his career ranked first on the Lightning’s all-time list for games played, goals and power play goals – finishing second to Martin St. Louis in assists and points.
In a statement released by Lecavalier, he wrote that “hockey is the greatest team sport in the world. There is nothing like sharing a locker room with your teammates and competing together day in and day out. I have made lifelong friends and I’d like to thank them for making this an unforgettable journey… Thank you.”
