Derek Stepan retires from the NHL after 13 seasons

Derek Stepan has retired from the NHL after 13 seasons. He earned a reputation as one of the most consistent top-six centers in the NHL in the 2010s. 

From 2011-18, he averaged 0.69 points per game which comes out to 57 points over an 82-game season. He also played in 97 playoff games during that span, scoring 19 goals and 49 points.

He was a key member of the New York Rangers in a number of playoff runs in the early 2010s. As a sophomore, Stepan played a big role in the Rangers’ 2012 Eastern Conference Finals appearance. He played an even bigger role when he scored 15 points in 24 playoff games during the Rangers’ 2014 Stanley Cup finals run, which they ended up losing in five games to the Los Angeles Kings.

“After 13 years in the NHL I’ve decided to retire,” Stepan told the NHL Players’ Association. “I want to thank my family and friends for always supporting me and allowing me to live my dreams. I want to thank the four organizations I had the privilege of playing for, and to my teammates for allowing me to be part of their family. Finally, I want to thank the fans, it was an honor to play in front of you. I’m forever grateful for this game and I look forward to the next chapter.”

Stepan also had a successful international career, leading all players in points with 14 in seven games during the 2010 World Junior U-20 Championships. 

He led the American team to a gold medal at that event. He also scored seven points in as many games for Team USA at the 2011 World Championships, the team finishing in eighth place.

Stepan played 890 games in the NHL with the Rangers, Arizona Coyotes, Ottawa Senators and Carolina Hurricanes. He finished with 182 goals and 515 points along with 120 playoff games.