Detroit Red Wings goaltender Jimmy Howard has announced his retirement from the NHL after 14 seasons. His retirement was announced on Wednesday morning after a week or so of speculation.
Congrats on a great career, Howie! 🙌
📱: https://t.co/JXG1Rw8yqP pic.twitter.com/nV7Cb5EQ4x
— Detroit Red Wings (@DetroitRedWings) January 28, 2021
Jimmy Howard Retires From The NHL
Drafted by the Detriot Red Wings in the second round, 64th overall in the 2003 NHL Entry Draft. Jimmy Howard has never left Hockeytown, after 14-season with the Red Wings it seems to be that his time has come. As a promising young goaltender out of the University of Maine, a lot of excitement swirled around him as he entered Detroit’s organization.
For the past decade, Howard has been the man in the crease for Detroit. While he had his struggles over the years, Jimmy Howard was reliable in between the pipes. This past season, however, Howard finished with an atrocious record of 2-23-2. With a 4.20 goals-against average and a .882 save percentage. Making it a season to definitely forget. Over his time in Detroit, Howard has a 246-196-70 record. To complement that, over his career he’s recorded a 2.62 goals-against-average and a .912 save percentage. Howard was an important piece to extend the Red Wings playoff streak. For his career, Howard recorded a 2.58 goals-against average and a .918 save percentage in 48 playoff games. During the 2009-10 season, Howard finished second in the Calder Memorial Trophy voting for the NHL’s top rookie.
Looking Down the Road
There had been speculation that Howard could return to the NHL this season being an unrestricted free agent. However, he shut down that idea when Edmonton Oilers general Ken Holland came calling. Needing a replacement for Mike Smith, who went on injured reserve, Howard told Holland he was happy being with his family. There were probably other spots for Howard to go, but having not played in over 10 months, and being around his family more, he realized it was best to just stay with them instead of going through the grind of another NHL season.
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