Veteran NHLer Paul Stastny officially announces his retirement

This just in, veteran NHL forward Paul Stastny has announced his retirement from professional hockey at 37 years of age.

Stastny made the announcement rather quietly, confirming the news with TSN insider Pierre LeBrun.

“I haven’t filed anything, but in early September we decided we were done,” Stastny said old LeBrun in an article for The Athletic.

"I didn't put anything out on social media or anything," Stastny said. "I kind of came into the league quietly, and I'm leaving the league quietly. That's the way I like it."

After 1,145 career games and 822 points, Stastny is calling it a career. He says he had some calls from teams this offseason, but he just couldn't motivate himself enough to make a commitment. 

“I wanted to take all the emotions out of it,” he said. “The summer got further along, and I got on the ice a few times … I wouldn’t say the spark wasn’t there — I still love the game — but I think I was just ready to move forward to the next chapter.

"When you know, you know."

Stastny, his wife and his two kids currently live just outside of Las Vegas, but plan on moving back to St. Louis now that he's not tied to any particular locale for his career.

“I’ve been playing for 17 years. It’s been a long time, I’ve put a lot of blood, sweat and tears into it. Now I love being at home and love being with the kids. Just love being able to do other things now. I’m very much at peace with it, that’s for sure.”

The plan now for Stastny is to spend as much time as possible with his kids (Aged 6 and 8), but he admits that a career in hockey could be of interest to him... eventually.

“I don’t want to do coaching, that’s for sure,” Stastny laughed. “Maybe something with management.

“If the right opportunity comes up with the right people and the right fit or situation, then I would for sure be interested. But you know me, you know my dad — I don’t want to be a yes man to anyone. If I’m going to do something, I’m in 100 percent. I’m not going to take some job just to be around the guys.

“But for now, no. Not yet.”

Whatever the future holds, we wish you all the best, Paul. An absolutely excellent career! Take a bow!