Braydon Coburn announces retirement after 16 NHL seasons

Tampa Bay Lightning defenseman Braydon Coburn (55) goes in on a breakaway against Pittsburgh Penguins goaltender Matt Murray during the second period of an NHL hockey game Thursday, Feb. 6, 2020, in Tampa, Fla. Murray made the save. (Chris O'Meara/AP)

After playing 983 NHL games over 16 seasons, defenceman Braydon Coburn has announced his retirement.

Coburn, 36, began his career in Atlanta after the Thrashers selected him eighth overall in the 2003 NHL Entry Draft. He was then acquired by the Philadelphia Flyers in exchange for Alexei Zhitnik in 2007 and played parts of nine seasons in the City of Brotherly Love.

The Shaunavon, Sask., native then joined the Tampa Bay Lightning at the 2015 trade deadline and won a Stanley Cup in 2020. He finished his career splitting last season between the Ottawa Senators and the New York Islanders.

Known as a defensive defenceman, Coburn still produced 234 points over the course of his career. In 2007-08, he recorded a career-high nine goals and 36 points.

“Walking into NHL buildings for the last 16 years, surrounded by hockey’s greatest players, coaches, management, trainers, officials, and fans, has been an incredible privilege. I’m very proud to have come into the league as an Atlanta Thrasher, proudly wore the orange and black as a member of the Philadelphia Flyers, won a Stanley Cup with the Tampa Bay Lightning and finished my career with the Ottawa Senators and the New York Islanders," read Coburn in statement released Friday.

“Thank you to my parents, grandparents, and siblings for the sacrifices you made helping me realize my NHL dream. Thank you to my minor hockey coaches for always making the game fun, and countless others that taught me how awesome it was to be a part of a team. I would also like to send a sincere thank you to my teammates, friends and family, especially my wife, Nadine, my daughter, Rory, and my son, Blair, for their patience, support and unwavering love. I’m thankful for the amazing people I have met along the way, and I am very excited for what is to come.”

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