On Tuesday, December 3, 2019, longtime centreman Matt Stajan officially announced his retirement from the NHL after 14 seasons.
Congratulations to @MattStajan18, who after 1,003 games played in 14 NHL seasons, retires today with a reputation as an effective two-way centreman and quality teammate wherever he went.
Full announcement and statement from Matt here: https://t.co/mqf19T2xRV pic.twitter.com/KnBsTSrfWO
— NHLPA (@NHLPA) December 3, 2019
Matt Stajan Announces Retirement
He was selected 57th overall by the Toronto Maple Leafs in the second round of the 2002 NHL Draft, and went on to play in 1,003 regular-season games with two different teams. He finished his career with 413 career points (146 goals and 267 assists). Stajan played in 17 career post-season games tallying four points (one goal and three assists).
He spent the first five seasons of his career with the Maple Leafs before a trade sent him to the Calgary Flames. There Stajan found his knack as a two-way centre playing his final nine seasons in the NHL. Stajan last played in the NHL during the 2017-18 season. In 68 games with the Flames, the centre recorded 12 points (four goals and eight assists).
Last season, Stajan played overseas in Europe. He guided the first German club, EHC Red Bull Munich, to a berth in the final of the Champions Hockey League. It was an effective season for Stajan recording 33 points in 52 games for EHC Red Bull Munich.
Throughout his career, Stajan earned a good reputation on the ice. He became a dependable contributor as he played the game with grace and intelligence. His former teammates have nothing but good things to say about him.
The best season of his career came with the Flames during the 2014-15 season. There he recorded 33 points (14 goals and 19 assists) in 63 games. The highlight of the season came in the playoffs. His only playoff goal was a series winner in Game 6 of the Stanley Cup Playoffs Western Conference Quarterfinal against the Vancouver Canucks.
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