Derick Brassard has chosen to turn the page on his hockey career at 36 years old. The Hull-born striker revealed his intentions during an interview with Mathias Brunet of La Presse.
The center played in 1,016 NHL games, scoring 215 goals and 330 assists for 10 teams over 16 years.
Brassard was the 6th overall pick by the Columbus Blue Jackets in the 2006 NHL Entry Draft. He was then traded to the New York Rangers during the lockout-shortened 2012–13 season, where he arguably played the best hockey of his career. With the Rangers, Brassard scored the most points of his career in 2014–15 with 60 and the most goals of his career the following season with 27. He also appeared in the Stanley Cup Final in from spring 2014.
On March 30, 2023, Brassard suffered a serious torn ankle ligament while the Ottawa Senators had only a few games remaining in their season. Faced with the colossal challenge that such rehabilitation represents at the age of 36, Brassard opted for retirement.
“I was starting to find it heavy,” explained Brassard in his interview with La Presse. I was often on the therapist’s table playing as many matches as possible. It’s frustrating when you’re not 100% for your match. »
Brassard revealed that he remains open to a return to the world of hockey, but the father of a young boy is taking full advantage of his new lifestyle for now.
