andy mcdonald announces his retirement from the nhl
June 6th, 2013
Strathroy native Andy McDonald put an end to rumours on Thursday when he announced his retirement from pro hockey due to lingering concerns over concussions.
The 35-year-old from just outside of London, Ontario, was never drafted to the NHL and passed over by every OHL team, putting an end to what can easily be defined as an unexpected, but well-respected, pro career.
“The last few years too much of the focus became worrying about the next hit. I was always thinking about it,” McDonald told Truehockey.com. “I’m fortunate to get out now. I know I could play two or three more years and I love the game of hockey, but healthwise I know I shouldn’t be playing.”
McDonald suffered five documented concussions over 12 seasons with the Anaheim Ducks and the St. Louis Blues. He last played 82 games in a season back during the 2007/08 season, the year he was traded from Anaheim to St. Louis. He notched 7 goals and 21 points in 37 games for the Blues this season
He played in his only Cup final in 2007, scoring five of his 10 playoff goals in the series win over the Ottawa Senators, prompting rumours that he would take home the Conn Smythe trophy as playoff MVP. That honour of course went to Scott Niedermayer, but there was no denying McDonald's surprising outburst during the Ducks' Cup run.
McDonald's most potent season offensively was the 2005/06 season where he scored 34 goals and finished with 85 points, with only Teemu Selanne (90) scoring more points that year for Anaheim.
He would have been a free agent following the current NHL season. His decision to retire comes at the end of a four-year, $18.8 million contract with St. Louis.
CAREER:
– Scored 10 goals in 21 playoff games, five in the final against Ottawa, winning his and the Anaheim Ducks only Stanley Cup in 2007.
– Posted a career-high 34 goals and 85 points for Ducks in 2005-06.
– 182 goals and 489 points in 685 regular-season games over 12 seasons with Anaheim and St. Louis.
– Traded by the Ducks to the Blues in December, 2007 for Doug Weight
– Scored 67 goals and 155 points in 137 NCAA games for Colgate University over four seasons.
– Never drafted by an OHL or NHL team and played for the Strathroy Rockets.
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Strathroy native Andy McDonald put an end to rumours on Thursday when he announced his retirement from pro hockey due to lingering concerns over concussions.
The 35-year-old from just outside of London, Ontario, was never drafted to the NHL and passed over by every OHL team, putting an end to what can easily be defined as an unexpected, but well-respected, pro career.
“The last few years too much of the focus became worrying about the next hit. I was always thinking about it,” McDonald told Truehockey.com. “I’m fortunate to get out now. I know I could play two or three more years and I love the game of hockey, but healthwise I know I shouldn’t be playing.”
McDonald suffered five documented concussions over 12 seasons with the Anaheim Ducks and the St. Louis Blues. He last played 82 games in a season back during the 2007/08 season, the year he was traded from Anaheim to St. Louis. He notched 7 goals and 21 points in 37 games for the Blues this season
He played in his only Cup final in 2007, scoring five of his 10 playoff goals in the series win over the Ottawa Senators, prompting rumours that he would take home the Conn Smythe trophy as playoff MVP. That honour of course went to Scott Niedermayer, but there was no denying McDonald's surprising outburst during the Ducks' Cup run.
McDonald's most potent season offensively was the 2005/06 season where he scored 34 goals and finished with 85 points, with only Teemu Selanne (90) scoring more points that year for Anaheim.
He would have been a free agent following the current NHL season. His decision to retire comes at the end of a four-year, $18.8 million contract with St. Louis.
CAREER:
– Scored 10 goals in 21 playoff games, five in the final against Ottawa, winning his and the Anaheim Ducks only Stanley Cup in 2007.
– Posted a career-high 34 goals and 85 points for Ducks in 2005-06.
– 182 goals and 489 points in 685 regular-season games over 12 seasons with Anaheim and St. Louis.
– Traded by the Ducks to the Blues in December, 2007 for Doug Weight
– Scored 67 goals and 155 points in 137 NCAA games for Colgate University over four seasons.
– Never drafted by an OHL or NHL team and played for the Strathroy Rockets.
Back to Sports Stories