Former first round pick Del Zotto announces retirement

*Photo from Yard Barker*

   Another player is hanging up the skates. Defenseman Michael Del Zotto has announced his retirement from the NHL after over a decade in the league on Wednesday.

   Chosen in the first round of the NHL draft in 2008 by the New York Rangers, Del Zotto made the NHL All Rookie team and finished in 8th place in voting for the Calder Trophy. He followed that up with a 12th place finish in voting for the Norris Trophy the season after.

   Del Zotto said on social media that "Today is a bittersweet day. I was fortunate enough to play 14 years of professional hockey. The blood, sweat, tears, broken bones, triumph, heartbreak and sacrifice were worth every second. So were the many amazing relationships I made along the way."

   Last season, Del Zotto played with the Charlotte Checkers and San Diego Gulls of the AHL, recording 41 points in 65 games. He last played in the NHL in 2021-2022 with the Ottawa Senators. That season, he scored 3 goals and added 10 assists, averaging 18:15 of ice time in 26 regular season games.

   The lone Stanley Cup that Del Zotto won in his career with the 2018-2019 St. Louis Blues. He played in 7 games with the team after being traded, all in the regular season. He did not play in the postseason that year, but still got his name engraved on the Cup.

   After starting his career with the Rangers, Del Zotto would then go on to play for the Nashville Predators, Philadelphia Flyers, Vancouver Canucks, Anaheim Ducks, the Blues, Columbus Blue Jackets, and the Senators before officially calling it quits this offseason.

   Del Zotto has played for 8 teams in his NHL career, spanning 13 seasons in the league. He has accumulated 63 goals and 199 assists for 262 points, posting a -30 rating while averaging 20:03 of ice time in 736 regular season games. Del Zotto also had 3 goals and 9 assists while averaging 21:18 of ice time over 32 playoff games.