One of the more beloved players in Lightning history announced Wednesday that he is hanging up his skates.
Ryan Callahan made his retirement official in a Twitter post Wednesday morning.
Callahan was acquired by the Lightning in 2014 after spending eight years with the New York Rangers, serving as captain from 2011 until his trade to Tampa Bay.
He spent 13 years in the league, scoring 186 goals and 200 assists. He achieved his career high of 54 points twice; once with the Rangers in the 2011-12 season (29 G, 25 A), and again with the Lightning in his first season in Tampa (24 G, 30A).
Callahan was placed on the long-term injured reserve list last summer for the final year of his contract. Later in the summer, the Bolts traded Callahan and a fifth-round pick in the 2020 NHL Draft to the Ottawa Senators for goalie Mike Condon and Ottawa’s sixth-round pick. But Callahan did not play, because of pestering back injuries.
“Reflecting on my career, it’s hard to wrap my head around how lucky and grateful I am for being able to live out my childhood dream for 13 amazing years,” Callahan wrote.
“I can honestly say I left it all on the ice and have zero regrets. Thanks to the game of hockey for all the unforgettable memories and lifelong friends I have made along the way! This is bye to the game I love for now, but I’m sure our paths will cross again in the near future.”
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