After 17 seasons of stellar goaltending, Jaroslav Halak has officially announced his retirement from professional hockey. The veteran netminder, who last played in the NHL with the New York Rangers in the 2022-23 season, confirmed the news in a recent interview.
"I'm done," Halak stated definitively. "I'll never put on the pads again."
Halak's journey included stints with several NHL teams, including the Montreal Canadiens, St. Louis Blues, Washington Capitals, New York Islanders, Boston Bruins, Vancouver Canucks, and the Rangers. He accumulated an impressive .915 save percentage and a 2.50 goals-against average throughout his career, with a record of 295-189-69 in 581 appearances (539 starts).
A Career Highlight: The 2010 Playoffs
One of Halak's most memorable moments came during the 2010 Stanley Cup Playoffs with the Montreal Canadiens. After seizing the starting role, he led the Canadiens to a stunning first-round upset against the Presidents' Trophy-winning Washington Capitals, overcoming a 3-1 series deficit. He then helped Montreal defeat the defending Stanley Cup champion Pittsburgh Penguins in the second round, also in seven games.
Life After Hockey
While Halak may be retiring from the professional ranks, his connection to hockey remains strong through his children. "Since my son Nathan has been a goalie for three years, I’ve been focusing on him," Halak explained. "This year, my older daughter Inna joined him... Since January, she’s been trying to be a goalie as well."
Halak also had a professional tryout with the Carolina Hurricanes early in the 2023-24 season, but did not appear in any games. He then signed with Slovan Bratislava of the Slovak Extraliga, but also did not play any games.
Halak will be remembered as a skilled and dedicated goaltender who left a lasting impact on the NHL. His contributions to the game, both on and off the ice, will be cherished by fans and teammates alike.