Wednesday, February 8, 2017

Martin Havlat Retires After 14 Years and Six Teams




Forward Martin Havlat announced on Wednesday that he was hanging up his skates after 14 seasons in the National Hockey League. 

Havlat, 35, played 790 games between the Ottawa Senators, Chicago Blackhawks, Minnesota Wild, San Jose Sharks, New Jersey Devils and St. Louis Blues during his time in the league. 

While earning the nickname, “Mach 9,” for his jersey number as well as his skating speed, put up 242 goals and 352 assists, 790 games. In 75 Stanley Cup Playoff games, he added 21 goals and 31 assists. Three of his postseason goals were overtime winners. 

In a statement released by the NHL Players Association, Havlat said, “The was fast. I feel like I was just getting started in the NHL a short while ago. I would love to continue playing, but my body will not allow me to play at the level I expect from myself. As a result, I am announcing my retirement.”

Selected by the Senators, with the 26th selection in the 1999 NHL Entry Draft, Havlat was a finalist for the Calder Trophy for Rookie of the Year after putting up 19 goals and 23 assists during the 2000-2001 season. During the 2002-2003 season, he helped lead the Senators to the Presidents’ Trophy, for the top record in the regular season, before falling to the Devils in the Eastern Conference Finals.

He recorded a career high in goals with 31, in 68 games during the 2003-2004 season. 

Havlat said, “I feel very fortunate to have played in the NHL for 14 years. Rest assured, I am retiring as a grateful man. I will be forever thankful to the Ottawa Senators for helping make my childhood dream come true. I also had the privilege of playing for other exceptional organizations. I am grateful for the time I spent with each team and the great teammates I had the pleasure to be around on and off the ice.”   

He represented his home country, the Czech Republic twice at the Olympics (2002 & 2010) as well as 2004 World Cup of Hockey. At the 2000 International Ice Hockey Federation World Junior Championship, he helped the Czech Republic capture the gold. 

Havlat added, “I know when you retire people ask you about your favorite moment or memory, but for me, it is tough to pick one. There are so many great things I am grateful for. It was a great run. Sure, I had my ups and downs, but I loved the game and enjoyed too many positive things to pick one.”  

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