Kyle Turris officially retires, joins front office staff

Veteran NHL forward Kyle Turris has officially retired from professional hockey at just 33 years old and has joined the BCHL's Coquitlam Express front office staff as a Special Advisor to the GM. Turris, of course, is local to the Coquitlam, BC area and played for the Express during his junior hockey days.

“The Express organization played a key role in my personal and professional growth,” said Kyle Turris in a prepared statement. “I am excited about having the opportunity to work with Tali and Patrick as they help each player develop individually, while pursuing the Fred Page Cup as a team.”

Turris played just 23 games with the Edmonton Oilers last season, putting up one goal and four points. In total, he produced 168 goals and 425 points in 776 NHL games split between the Arizona Coyotes, Ottawa Senators, Nasvhille Predators and Oilers. Fans probably remember him most from his seven seasons with the Coyotes where he put up the best point totals of his career. His career high came in 2014-15 when he put up 24 goals and 64 points in 82 games.

Turris looked to be a big part of the Senators' core along with Mark Stone, Erik Karlsson, Bobby Ryan and Mike Hoffman and then... well... the rug was pulled out from under that entire core. And I think it can all be traced back to Turris' exodus from Ottawa in a blockbuster trade for then Colorado Avalanche forward Matt Duchene. Turris was shipped to the Predators in a three way trade that saw the Sens end up with Duchene and the Avs end up with Sam Girard, Vlad Kamenev, Andrew Hammond and picks that ended up netting 4th overall pick Bowen Byram. What a haul by Avs GM Joe Sakic.

Duchene was productive in his two seasons with the Senators, but ultimately moved on when it was clear that management was going into rebuild mode. As for Turris, he was a fan favorite in his first season with the Preds but when his production dropped, he eventually found himself on the outside of that team's core, as well.

All in all though, 425 points in 776 games is nothing to sneeze at. Well done, Mr. Turris on a great career and all the best of luck in your new career as a hockey executive.