Due to a lingering back injury that sidelined him the entire 2019-20 NHL season, American forward Ryan Callahan today announced his retirement from hockey at the age of 35.

A late 2004 draft pick of the New York Rangers, Callahan debuted with the Blueshirts in 2006, where he would spend eight seasons, including his final three as captain, the first native New Yorker to serve in the role in team history. Callahan was part of a blockbuster trade including Martin St-Louis in 2014, sending Callahan to the tampa Bay Lightning, where he would spend his final six pro seasons, reaching the Stanley Cup Finals in 2015. Injuries hampered Callahan’s career during his stints in both New York and Tampa, but Callahan still managed to notch 186 goals and 386 points in 757 career games, along with another 121 playoff games played. His contract was traded to Ottawa in 2019, but his injury would prevent him from ever playing for the Senators.

A native of Rochester, New York, Callahan first joined Team USA at the 2005 World Junior Championship in North Dakota, where the U.S. would finish fourth. Thanks to his playoff successes with the Rangers and Lightning, Callahan would only be named to one World Championship and World Cup team, but would be forced to withdraw in 2007 and 2016, respectively. Callahan was a member of the Olympic teams at both the 2010 Vancouver and 2014 Sochi Games, winning Silver at the former.

Due to his limited Team USA exposure, Callahan only held the IHLC once, winning to open the 2005 World Juniors on Christmas Day 2004. We wish Ryan and his family the very best for his retirement and the things to come!

Photo Credit: The Pink Puck – IIHF – HHOF – IOC