'NHL Veteran Joe Pavelski, 40, Announces Retirement After 18 Seasons in the League'

Joe Pavelski officially declared his retirement from the National Hockey League on Tuesday after 18 seasons.

Just five days after turning 40, the forward announced his departure after recording 1,068 points (476 goals, 592 assists) in 1,332 regular season games with the San Jose Sharks (2006-19) and Dallas Stars (2019-24).

Pavelski also contributed 143 points (74 goals, 69 assists) in 201 playoff games, including appearances in the Stanley Cup Final with the Sharks in 2016 and the Stars in 2020. His 74 goals are the most by an American player in NHL playoff history.

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Pavelski confirmed his retirement plans on Tuesday during an interview on "NHL Morning Skate" on SiriusXM NHL Network Radio.

In his exit interview with the Stars at the end of the 2023-24 season, he had stated that "the intention is to not play next year."

"I am sticking to that plan," he said on Tuesday. "There is no intention to play. I did not want to use the 'R' word right away, simply because nothing is set in stone. I wanted a little more time to think about it, but I was pretty comfortable with that plan."

Pavelski served as the Sharks' captain from 2015-19 and participated in four NHL All-Star Games (2016, 2017, 2019, and 2022).