*Photo from the Philadelphia Inquirer*
This might be the unofficial retirement phase of the offseason, as training camp begins. Free agent left shot defenseman Keith Yandle has announced his retirement after almost two decades in the league. Yandle broke the news on Tuesday.
In 16 seasons in the league, just over a decade and a half, Yandle has played for 4 different teams. He started his career with the Phoenix/Arizona Coyotes, before a trade in 2014-2015 to the New York Rangers. He stayed there until the 2016-2017 season began, when he found himself with the Florida Panthers. He played for the Philadelphia Flyers last season.
Last season in Philadelphia was Yandle's only year in Philadelphia. Yandle ended the regular season with one goal and 18 assists, averaging 13:59 of ice time per game while recording a -47 plus/minus rating in 77 games for the Flyers last season.
Yandle announced his retirement on the Spittin' Chiclets podcast, saying "The last year it's one of those things I've been thinking about. When that's all you know in your life, to call it quits on it, to call it an end, it's nerve-wracking. You're worried about what you're going to do. Especially this time of the year, you're ramping up for training camp. The last couple weeks, I've been at ease with it. Really enjoyed spending time with the family. I think for me, I'm really at ease with it and looking forward to the next chapter."
The most memorable part of Yandle's time with the Flyers was a significant record that Yandle now holds. On January 25, Yandle passed Doug Jarvis for first in the NHL with his 965th straight game. His games played streak reached 989 before he was a healthy scratch on April 2 against Toronto.
Yandle ends his career with a impressive stat sheet for a defenseman. Yandle has 103 goals and 516 assists, posting a -103 plus/minus rating while averaging 20:47 of ice time per game in 1,109 career regular season games. Yandle has 6 goals and 30 assists in 58 career playoff games.
Flyers forward Joel Farabee talked about Yandle, saying that "He's one of the teammates you remember forever. I don't think there's enough good things to say about him. He's the most down to earth, nice guy that loves the game so much. Having the honor to play one season with him is something I'll remember. He's one of the best ever to do it and I wish him well with whatever happens in his post-career life."
The retirement of Yandle makes him the 3rd defenseman to retire in two days time at the start of this past week. A day before Yandle announced his retirement, defensemen PK Subban and Zdeno Chara also announced their playing careers would be coming to an end.
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