Joe Pavelski set to retire after 18 seasons in NHL

Dallas Stars forward Joe Pavelski announced he decided to retire during the team’s exit interview day on Tuesday. While Pavelski has not made his retirement official, he indicated that he does not plan to return for what would be his 19th NHL season in 2024-25.

“This was it for me. It was known for a while, probably,” Pavelski said. “The plan is not to play next year.” He added that the decision is still in the process of being finalized, with more details to come as he sorts out logistics. Pavelski, who will turn 40 in July, is one of the oldest players in the league.

Pavelski spent the first 13 seasons of his career with the San Jose Sharks, serving as their captain from 2015 to 2019. He has played in four NHL All-Star Games and reached the Stanley Cup Finals twice, once with the Sharks in 2016 and once with the Stars in 2020, though his teams did not win the championship in either appearance.

If this is really it for Joe Pavelski, what a career it has been for him. 🙌 pic.twitter.com/aQDH1AsH9q

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Pavelski also holds the NHL record for most playoff goals scored by a United States-born player, with 74 goals in 201 playoff games.