Former Flyer Vincent Lecavalier announced his retirement on Tuesday, ending his NHL career after 17 seasons.
The 36-year-old center retires after a brief stint with Los Angeles, who acquired his services from the Flyers (along with Luke Schenn) on Jan. 6. He was able to provide a steady veteran presence for the Kings, scoring 10 goals and 17 points in 42 games. From his statement to 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 established himself as one of the preeminent centers of the NHL throughout the mid-2000s with Tampa Bay, who drafted him first-overall in 1998. With the Lightning, he won one Stanley Cup (2003-04), one Rocket Richard trophy (2006-07) and played in four All-Star Games (2003, 2007, 2008 and 2009). He was also named to the NHL's Second All-Star Team in 2007.
He signed a whopping 11-year, $85 million contract extension with the Lightning in 2008, which was bought out after the lockout-shortened 2012-13 season. That summer, the Flyers inked him to a five-year, $22.5 million deal.
Lecavalier went on to become one of the most-maligned free agent signings in Flyers history, and his three years as a Flyer were plagued by injury as well as a consistent failure to crack the lineup under Craig Berube and Dave Hakstol. In 133 games with the Orange and Black, he scored 28 goals and 58 points, with his best season coming in 2013-14 (20 goals, 37 points).
The Flyers, having retained 50 percent of his salary at the time of the trade, were charged with a $2.25 million cap hit for the remainder of the 2015-16 season — which would have carried over to next season and 2017-18 had Lecavalier continued to play. That hit will now entirely come off of their books.
Rob Riches is a contributor to Flyerdelphia and Sports Talk Philly. Follow him on Twitter @Riches61
