Per All Headline News:
St. Louis forward Keith Tkachuk will play the final game of his 18-year career Friday, after the Blues forward announced his plan to retire after the season Wednesday.
Tkachuk, 38, made the announcement one day after the Blues were knocked out of the playoff race Tuesday.
The veteran forward skipped a game against the Chicago Blackhawks because of a lower-body injury.
Tkachuk scored 1,063 points (538 goals and 525 assists) and 2,219 penalty minutes in 18 years.
Tkachuk, who played his 1,200th game Monday, will skate in Friday’s game against the Anaheim Ducks at the Scottrade Center.
He also became fourth player in league’s history with 1,000 points and 2,200 penalty minutes in January.
Tkachuk, the former U.S Olympian and five-time all-star, scored 13 goals and 17 assists in 66 games this season.
Tkachuk, drafted 19th overall in the 1990, started his professional career with the Phoenix Coyotes, previously known as the Winnipeg Jets.
The Serbian-American flourished into one of the finest forward in the NHL, scoring 52 goals and 228 penalty minutes in the 1996-1997 season.
Tkachuk ranks second in all-time goals (323) and first in penalty minutes (1,508).
In the summer of 2000, Tkachuk signed free agent contract with the St. Louis Blues and led the team to the Western Conference Finals.
He had a brief stint with the Atlanta Thrashers at the end of 2006-2007 season, but was reacquired by the Blues on June 26, 2008.
“I have been privileged to have a long career in this terrific league and play for first-class organizations,” Tkachuk told ESPN.
One Response to “Keith Tkachuk Announces Retirement…”