Former New York Rangers forward Carl Hagelin has unfortunately been forced to retire from professional ice hockey due to a devastating eye injury. After 11 seasons in the NHL, Hagelin announced his retirement on Wednesday, citing concerns about his quality of life outside of the sport. His retirement comes after being struck in the eye with a stick during a practice with the Washington Capitals on March 1, 2022.
In addition to his eye injury, Hagelin also underwent two hip surgeries last year, which prevented him from suiting up for any games. Despite these setbacks, he expressed immense gratitude for the memories and experiences that hockey has given him. In an Instagram post, Hagelin wrote, I’m gonna miss going to battle with my teammates on a daily basis, I’m gonna miss the ups and downs of a season. Nothing excites me more than stepping on the ice in front of 20,000 passionate fans.
Throughout his career, Hagelin played for multiple teams, including the Rangers, Anaheim Ducks, Pittsburgh Penguins, Los Angeles Kings, and Washington Capitals. He achieved back-to-back Stanley Cup championships with the Penguins in 2016 and 2017. Hagelin was originally drafted by the Rangers in the sixth round of the 2007 NHL Draft and made his debut on Nov. 25, 2011, against the Capitals, where he spent his final four seasons in the league.
During his four seasons with the Rangers, Hagelin appeared in 266 games, registering 58 goals and 72 assists. He even recorded a remarkable hat trick in a Rangers victory over the Jets on March 14, 2014. One of his notable career achievements includes scoring the series-clinching goal in Game 5 of the Rangers’ opening-round series victory against the Penguins in 2015.
The Rangers traded Hagelin and a second-round pick to the Ducks in exchange for Emerson Etem and two draft picks in 2015. Despite the trade, the Rangers consistently made it to the Stanley Cup Playoffs during his tenure, including a trip to the Stanley Cup Final in 2014, where they ultimately fell to the Kings.
Hagelin’s remarkable career saw him accumulate 50 career playoff points in 141 postseason games. In light of his retirement, he expressed deep gratitude towards his teammates, coaches, doctors, and other staff members he encountered throughout the years. Furthermore, Hagelin thanked his family, wife, and children for their unwavering support, as they made it possible for him to live out his dream.
The hockey community mourns the loss of an exceptional player and offers its support to Carl Hagelin as he transitions to the next chapter of his life.
