Joe Pavelski officially announced his retirement from the NHL on Tuesday after 18 seasons. Five days after his 40th birthday, the forward called it quits after tallying 1,068 points (476 goals, 592 assists) in 1,332 regular season games with the San Jose Sharks (2006-19) and Dallas Stars (2019-24). Pavelski added 143 points (74 goals, 69 assists) in 201 playoff games, including trips to the Stanley Cup Final with the Sharks in 2016 and the Stars in 2020. His 74 goals are the most by a U.S.-born player in NHL playoff history. Pavelski confirmed his retirement plans Tuesday on "NHL Morning Skate" on SiriusXM NHL Network Radio. During his exit interview with the Stars following the end of the 2023-24 season, he had said that "the plan is to not play next year." "I'm sticking to that plan," he said Tuesday. "There is no plan to play. I didn't want to use the 'R' word right away, just for the fact that there isn't anything set in stone. I wanted a little extra time to think about it but I was pretty comfortable with that plan." Pavelski served as the Sharks' captain from 2015-19 and appeared in four NHL All-Star Games (2016, 2017, 2019 and 2022). --Field Level Media
Nov 15, 2022; Tampa, Florida, USA; Dallas Stars center Joe Pavelski (16) warms up before a game against the Tampa Bay Lightning at Amalie Arena. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-USA TODAY Sports