LA Kings Forward Vincent Lecavalier Retires
- Updated: June 21, 2016
After 17 seasons with the NHL, that included both a Stanley Cup and World Cup of Hockey championship victory in 2004 and a strong comeback with the Los Angeles Kings after when many had thought he had nothing left to give, (they were wrong), Vincent Lecavalier has announced his retirement from hockey.
(Photo credit to alchetron.com)
This comes as no surprise to anyone, as the 36-year-old Lecavalier already revealed his intentions to retire through out last season and was known to be a man of his word. With his retirement, the Kings are now off the hook for the two remaining seasons of Lecavalier’s contract that contained an AAV of $2.25 million, therefore freeing up some salary cap space.
Here is the official statement that he released through the Kings :
“As I publicly announced at the time I was traded to the Los Angeles Kings, the 2015/16 season would be my last in the NHL. I recently informed the Kings that I am stepping away from the game and will no longer play professional hockey. It is my desire and intention to retire.
Hockey has provided me so much in my lifetime but requires an incredible commitment. It is now time for me to devote more time to my family.
I want to take this opportunity to thank the people who have helped me along the way and shared this journey with me. First and foremost, I would like to thank my parents, my wife, Caroline, my brother Philippe, sister Genevieve and my entire family. I could not have accomplished anything without your love and support. Thank you to the Tampa Bay Lightning for drafting me and providing me the opportunity to embark on my NHL career. I will never forget winning the Cup together in 2004, and the incredible support from Lightning fans. To the LA Kings, thank you for providing me the opportunity to finish my career on a positive note. To the coaches who have developed me and challenged me – you made me a better player and person. To my agent, Kent Hughes, thank you for all your efforts and support throughout my career.
Hockey is the greatest team sport in the world. There is nothing like sharing a locker room with your teammates and competing together day in and day out. I have made lifelong friends and I’d like to thank them for making this an unforgettable journey…. Thank you.”
Lecavalier was drafted 1st overall at the 1998 NHL entry draft by the Tampa Bay Lightning and played with them for 14 seasons. It was there where he won the Stanley Cup in 2004 against the Darryl Sutter coached Calgary Flames in a tight seven game series.
In 2013, the Lightning bought out his contract which allowed him to sign with the Philadelphia Flyers as a free agent. His time with the Flyers was disappointing as he wasn’t a right fit with that team and it’s system, which made him a regular healthy scratch while there. Many experts, including the coaches and management on the team felt that Lecavalier was done and not useful anymore. On January 6, 2016, he (and defenseman Luke Schenn) were traded to the LA Kings and it was as a King where he proved his critics wrong by having a renaissance with his play and a strong end to his season, and his career.
Lecavalier finished with 1,212 games played, 421 career regular season goals and 949 career regular season points. In the playoffs he finished with 25 goals and 56 points. He also represented his native country of Canada at the 1998 World Juniors, 2001 IIHF World Championships, 2004 World Cup of Hockey, (where he had 7 points in 6 games and scored the overtime winning goal in the semi-final game against the Czech Republic), and the 2006 Winter Olympic games.
On behalf of CaliSports News and the Los Angeles Kings’ Kingdom, I would like to say thank you Vinnie, for becoming a King and playing with a deep passion and with your heart on your sleeve while wearing the armor of silver, white and black. It’s a shame that Philadelphia didn’t really give you a chance but we are proud that Los Angeles did and you did not disappoint! Congratulations on your retirement and for the successful NHL career that you had. Your stay in LA was short but it was memorable. You will forever be considered a King. Thank you.
Stay with us at Calisportsnews.com as we will keep you up-to-date on all things Los Angeles Kings and the rest of the LA sports teams! All Cali, All the time!
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