Defenceman Ben Lovejoy has announced his retirement from the NHL after 11 years playing in the big league. Lovejoy made his announcement during his debut on NHL Tonight.
Lovejoy announced during the broadcast that he was hanging up the skates after a 12 year playing career, which included seeing his name engraved on the Stanley Cup. pic.twitter.com/HHCFr2yfNC
— WBS Penguins (@WBSPenguins) August 29, 2019
Defenceman Ben Lovejoy Retires
Lovejoy path to the NHL was not a typical one. After playing college hockey Dartmouth, he played just five games with the Norfolk Admirals of the American Hockey League. He then signed with the Wilkes-Barre Scranton Penguins in June of 2007.
Over the next 11 years in NHL, Lovejoy played on four teams including the Pittsburgh Penguins, Anaheim Ducks, New Jersey Devils, and Dallas Stars. In 544 career NHL regular-season games, Lovejoy recorded 101 points (20 goals and 81 assists). Also, Lovejoy appeared in 76 postseason games tallying 16 points (5 goals and 11 assists).
Lovejoy split time between the Devils and the Stars last season. The Stars acquired the defenceman during the trade deadline to bolster their depth on defense heading into the playoffs. The 35-year-old had just two goals and nine points in 71 games last season. In 13 playoffs games with the Stars, he had just one point, an assist.
One of Lovejoy’s finest moments came during the 2015-16 season. He won the Stanley Cup as a member of the Penguins. During the Penguins run to the Stanley Cup that year, Lovejoy appeared in 24 games recording six points (two goals, and four assists).
Lovejoy path to the NHL was not a typical one. After playing college hockey Dartmouth, he played just five games with the Norfolk Admirals of the American Hockey League before signing with the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins in June of 2007.
Lovejoy’s Post Hockey Career
Like most players who retire from the NHL, Lovejoy will make the transition from playing to being a TV analyst on NHL Network. He made his debut Wednesday night alongside Ken Daneyko and Jamie Hersch. Lovejoy fits right in with what the network is doing as they continue to hire former players for their in-studio roles.
Lovejoy’s Legacy
Back on December 7, 2017, Lovejoy announced he would donate his brain to concussion research. He was the first active NHL player at the time to do so.
NEWARK, NJ – JANUARY 12: New Jersey Devils defenseman Ben Lovejoy (12) skates during the National Hockey League game between the New Jersey Devils and the Philadelphia Flyers on January 12, 2019 at the Prudential Center in Newark, NJ. (Photo by Rich Graessle/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
