Devils goalie Corey Crawford announced his retirement from the NHL on Saturday, one day after being granted an indefinite leave of absence from the team due to personal reasons.
The two-time Stanley Cup winner with the Chicago Blackhawks had signed a two-year deal worth $7.8 million with New Jersey in October.
“I have been fortunate to have had a long career playing professional hockey for a living. I wanted to continue my career, but believe I’ve given all I can to the game of hockey, and I have decided that it is time to retire,” the 36-year-old Crawford said in a statement. “I would like to thank the New Jersey Devils organization for understanding and supporting my decision.”
Crawford also thanked the Blackhawks for “giving me the chance to live my childhood dream.”
The Devils are expected to be off the hook for Crawford’s salary.
The Quebec native played 13 seasons in Chicago, posting a 262-162-53 record with a 2.45 career goals against average and 26 shutouts in 488 regular-season games. He also was the starting goaltender during the Blackhawks’ championship runs in 2013 and 2015, and he was a member of the gold-medalist Team Canada squad in the 2016 World Cup of Hockey.
“I am proud to have been part of winning two Stanley Cups in Chicago,” Crawford said. “Thank you to all of my teammates and coaches throughout the years. Also, thank you to the fans who make this great game what it is. I am happy and excited to move on to the next chapter of my life with my family.”
Crawford’s departure leaves the Devils with Mackenzie Blackwood, who re-signed on a three year deal last month, and 28-yeard-old Scott Wedgewood, the third-string goalie for last year’s Stanley Cup champions, the Tampa Bay Lightning.