2x Stanley Cup Champion Officially Announces His Retirement From Hockey

Throughout his career, Ladd achieved remarkable success, winning two Stanley Cup championships. His first came as a rookie with the Carolina Hurricanes, and the second followed in 2010 with the Chicago Blackhawks.

While his early years in Carolina didn't fully showcase his potential, Ladd's fortunes changed when he joined the Blackhawks. There, he blossomed into a top-six forward, registering an impressive 49 points during the 2008-09 season.

However, it was his move to the Atlanta Thrashers that truly catapulted Ladd into NHL stardom. Named captain upon arrival, he reached new heights offensively, netting 29 goals and amassing 59 points. This marked the beginning of a remarkable streak of seven consecutive seasons with 20 or more goals.

Ladd made his most significant impact in Winnipeg, where he became the franchise's first captain. He led the Jets to their first playoff appearance since relocation and enjoyed a career-high 62 points in his final full season in Winnipeg. Additionally, he proudly represented Canada at three IIHF Men's World Championships.

After a brief return to the Blackhawks for a 2016 Stanley Cup push, Ladd entered unrestricted free agency, marking a turning point in his career. He signed a contract with the New York Islanders worth $5.5 million AAV, stretching through the 2022-23 season. Although his initial season on Long Island saw 23 goals, subsequent years witnessed declining production.

Injuries and the toll of physical play began to affect Ladd's availability. By the 2019-20 season, he found himself spending more time in the AHL with the Islanders' affiliate in Bridgeport. A trade to the Arizona Coyotes for the 2021-22 season allowed him to reach the prestigious milestone of 1,000 games played, but his final season concluded prematurely due to a failed physical.

Despite the challenges he faced in the latter part of his career, Andrew Ladd leaves behind a highly respected NHL legacy, known as a valuable power forward who contributed to the success of multiple teams in the league.