The Vancouver Canucks announced Thursday former defenceman Kevin Bieksa will sign a one-day contract with the team to officially retire from the NHL.
The one-day contract and retirement celebration are set to take place on Nov. 3 when the Canucks host the Anaheim Ducks, the only other team Bieksa played for over his 13 seasons in the league.
Coincidentally enough, Bieksa also wore No. 3 during his time with Vancouver.
"I am both honoured and grateful to officially end my NHL career as a Vancouver Canuck," Bieksa said in a statement. "It was a privilege to start my career with this amazing organization, in this incredible city, with the best fans in the league. I am and always have been a Canuck at heart and it's fitting I retire as one."
Over the span of an NHL career that saw the blue-liner appear in 808 games, Bieksa recorded 63 goals and 215 assists for a total of 278 points. In 86 post-season appearances across 10 seasons, he added another 10 goals and 20 assists.
Originally drafted by the Canucks in the fifth round (151st overall) in 2001, Bieksa spent 12 seasons within the organization. Among skaters who were drafted by the team, Bieksa ranks 11th in all-time games played (597). He also ranks second all-time in hits among all Canucks skaters (967).
In 71 playoff appearances with Vancouver, Bieksa recorded 25 points and holds the franchise record for most post-season penalty minutes by a defenceman (122). He was a major part of the team's 2011 Stanley Cup Final run when the Canucks fell to the Boston Bruins in Game 7.
A fan favourite for many years, his series-winning goal against the San Jose Sharks in Game 5 of the Western Conference Final is still remembered as an iconic moment.
The Grimsby, Ont. native was traded to the Anaheim Ducks during the offseason in June 2015 for a 2016 second-round pick. Bieksa spent three seasons with the Ducks, making his final NHL appearance during the 2017-18 playoffs.
Post-playing career, the 41-year-old Bieksa currently works as a television analyst with Sportsnet and Hockey Night in Canada. He was nominated for “Best Sports Analyst” for both the 2021 and 2022 Canadian Screen Awards.
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