Brent Seabrook announces retirement from Blackhawks

The defenseman spent his entire NHL career in Chicago, winning three Stanley Cups in the process.

Blackhawks defenseman Brent Seabrook announced his retirement Friday morning.

Seabrook played his entire 15-year career in Chicago and was a part of three Stanley Cup championship teams.

“After several surgeries, countless hours of rehab and training to get back on the ice at the level of my expectations, it will not be possible for me to continue playing hockey. This is what is best for me and my family,” Seabrook said in a statement released by the Blackhawks.

“I am so proud to have played my entire 15-year National Hockey League career in Chicago with the Blackhawks. It was an honor to play the game that I love, with teammates I love, in front of fans I love, in a city that my family and I have grown to love.”

Injuries forced Seabrook to walk away from the sport.

“Over a three-month period from December 2019 to February 2020, Brent underwent successful surgeries on both of his hips and his right shoulder,” Blackhawks team doctor Michael Terry said. “He has worked extremely hard to recover from those surgeries but has a long-term issue with his right hip that is preventing him from playing professional hockey.”

Seabrook had initially planned to play this season, but never made it on the ice for training camp. Hawks general manager Stan Bowman had told the Chicago Sun-Times last month he was “very concerned” about Seabrook’s longevity considering his lingering injury issues.

“His contributions on the ice were matched by his leadership off it,” Bowman said Friday. “Brent embodied all the qualities of a true leader. ... Without Brent Seabrook, the Chicago Blackhawks would not have three Stanley Cups. He concludes his career as not only one of the best defensemen in franchise history, but one the greatest Chicago Blackhawks of all time.”