Former Rangers captain Chris Drury retired from the NHL on Friday after 12 seasons, the NHL Players Association announced.
“Throughout his career, Chris Drury was always a great competitor, a tremendous leader and teammate, and the heart and soul type of player that every team would love to have,” Rangers GM Glen Sather said in a statement. “His commitment, determination and will to win were apparent each and every day. Those characteristics will have a lasting impact on all those who were fortunate enough to learn from Chris over his 12 years in the National Hockey League.”
Drury, to turn 35 Saturday, was an unrestricted free agent and was going to miss the upcoming season due to knee surgery.
The Trumbull, Conn., native — a pitcher for the town’s Little League World Series-winning team in 1989 — leaves with a career total of 255 goals and 360 assists in 892 games.
Drury was known during his career as a clutch postseason performer, and in 2001 he scored 11 playoff goals and 16 assists during the Colorado Avalanche’s run to the Stanley Cup.
Drury spent the final four seasons of his career with the Rangers after signing a five-year, $35 million deal in 2007. The Rangers bought out the remainder of his contract after last season, making him a free agent.
His production declined in 2010-11 to one goal and four assists as he played in 24 games due to a slew of injuries.
The Boston University alum won the Hobey Baker Award in 1998 as the top player in college hockey and won the Calder Trophy as the NHL’s top rookie one year later. Drury also competed for the United States in the past three Winter Olympics.