Rick Nash skated in 1,060 regular-season games during his 15-year NHL career, all but 11 of which were spent in either a Columbus Blue Jackets or New York Rangers uniform.
Nash officially announced his retirement from professional hockey Friday and on Sunday he’ll have a chance to give both of his former fan bases a proper goodbye.
The Blue Jackets announced the six-time all-star will take part in a ceremonial puck-drop prior to the Sunday evening clash at Nationwide Arena in Columbus.
The 2002 first-overall pick of the Blue Jackets finished his career with 437 goals and 805 points, sharing the Maurice “Rocket” Richard Trophy with Ilya Kovalchuk and Jarome Iginla in 2004, and winning two Olympic gold medals while representing Team Canada.
Nash, 34, last played a game as a member of the Boston Bruins after being acquired from the Rangers ahead of the 2018 trade deadline. He spent 11 regular-season games and 12 playoff contests with the Bruins but also sustained a concussion during his time there.
“Due to unresolved issues/symptoms from the concussion sustained last March, Rick Nash will be forced to retire from the game of hockey,” Nash’s agency, Top Shelf Sports Management, wrote in a statement. “Under the advice of his medical team, the risk of further brain injury is far too great if Rick returns to play. Rick would like to thank everyone who has supported him during this difficult time period.”
Only Alex Ovechkin (607), Iginla (451) and Patrick Marleau (438) scored more goals than Nash during his time in the league.
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