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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