Brent Seabrook retires from the Chicago Blackhawks this morning, in a statement sent from the team.
Brent Seabrook says he’s unable to play and announces the end of his 15-year career due to injury. #Blackhawks https://t.co/SK1U8eJfth
— Chicago Blackhawks (@NHLBlackhawks) March 5, 2021
Brent Seabrook Retires From Blackhawks
Brent Seabrook had been a member of the Chicago Blackhawks for his entire 15-year career but had not played this season due to injuries.
15 year NHL career
A first-round draft pick (14th overall) to Chicago in 2013, Seabrook played 1114 games for the Chicago Blackhawks, 3rd all-time in the original six teams’ history. He notched 103 goals and added 464 assists while boasting a lofty +111 rating over his career. The Richmond, British Columbia native was also a key component of three Stanley Cup-winning teams in 2010, 2013 and 2015. In 123 career playoff games, he scored 20 goals and 39 assists. With Duncan Keith, they were amongst the top defensive duos in the NHL for several years.
International career
Seabrook also enjoyed success on the international stage with Team Canada. He won gold in 2003 in Russia in the World Under 18 Championships. He won gold again in the United States as part of Canada’s 2005 World Junior Team. He also won Olympic Gold at the 2010 Vancouver Olympics, with teammates Keith and Jonathan Toews. This was an extra special accomplishment for Brent, as he won in his home county and his home province of British Columbia.
Injuries and contract
Brent intended to play in 2021, but has been unable to recover from a back injury he sustained just before training camp. This was added to a list of other injuries he had been recovering from, namely major hip and shoulder surgeries in late 2019. Seabrook signed an 8 year $55 million dollar contract with the Blackhawks in 2016. His contract expires in 2024. With his retirement, the Blackhawks will shift his contract to long-term injured reserve, opening up valuable cap space.
Chicago has enjoyed a resurgence this season without Seabrook and the absence of long-time captain Toews.
