Dion Phaneuf, who hasn't played since 2019, officially retires

Longtime NHL defenseman Dion Phaneuf has officially retired from professional hockey, despite not playing since 2019.

The 36 year old made it official today, filing his retirement papers with the NHL and calling it quits after 1,048 career regular season games and 14 seasons.

The former Calgary Flames, Toronto Maple Leafs, Ottawa Senators and Los Angeles Kings blueliner was one of the most feared open ice hitters in NHL history and was arguably the best body checker of his entire generation. He'll mostly be remembered as captain of some truly awful Leafs teams, but it was his penchant for big hits and big goals early in his career with the Flames that really made him a household name.

He had a little bit of Scott Stevens and Scott Niedermayer in his game and could absolutely BOMB a point shot, as well. He was an all around defenseman for a period of time before his body began to betray him. Playing such a tough, physical style took its toll on Phaneuf and it's clear that being the leader of a team with the Leafs' illustrious history took its toll on him mentally, as well.

Phaneuf, who lives in suburban Los Angeles with his wife actress Elisha Cuthbert and their two children, made his retirement official while visiting Toronto to see his longtime friend Iginla inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame. The former Leafs captain admits that he still thinks often about "the one that got away" and the Leafs' epic 4-1 collapse to the Boston Bruins in 2014.

And fair or not, it's that memory of 2014 that will likely be Phaneuf's legacy for many hockey fans. To me though... he's still this guy: