Enforcer Ryan Reaves Retires After More Than 15 NHL Seasons

Ryan Reaves announced his retirement from hockey at age 39, concluding a career that included 1,075 games and 3,225 hits.

Ryan Reaves announced his retirement from the NHL on Wednesday at age 39, according to a report from ESPN. The 6-foot-2, 225-pound forward skated in 1,075 career games and recorded 1,253 penalty minutes between his 2010 debut and the conclusion of the 2025-26 season. His 3,225 career hits currently rank seventh on the league's all-time list.

A native of Winnipeg, Manitoba, Reaves was originally a fifth-round selection by the St. Louis Blues in 2005. During a career spanning more than a decade and a half, the enforcer played for St. Louis, Pittsburgh, Vegas, the New York Rangers, Minnesota, and Toronto. Reaves confirmed the end of his playing career via an Instagram post, noting that the physical toll of hits and fights led to his decision.

His departure leaves only three active players in the NHL who do not wear a visor: Ryan O’Reilly of the Nashville Predators, Jamie Benn of the Dallas Stars, and Zach Bogosian of the Minnesota Wild. The NHL and NHLPA mandated visors for all new players starting in 2013, grandfathering in veterans who were already active in the league at that time.