Max Miller
Former San Jose Sharks forward Ryan Reaves announced his official retirement from the NHL on Wednesday via an Instagram post.
Reaves, 39, ends his NHL career just 38 games from reaching the prized 1,000-game mark. The winger hoped to return to the Sharks this season with that goal in mind. With the Sharks’ busy off-season, there just wasn’t room to bring him back.
The former San Jose Sharks winger was a villain at SAP Center for years. First as a member of the St. Louis Blues, then the heat turned up when he joined the Vegas Golden Knights in 2017. The Sharks acquired him from the Toronto Maple Leafs last season, and he quickly became a fan favorite.
He sat next to Macklin Celebrini in the locker room, an intentional move by the Sharks staff. That move helped bring out a bigger personality in the young superstar, and it carried throughout the rest of the locker room.
Reaves had 98 career fights in the NHL (regular season and postseason), and although his on-ice play declined recently, he was a huge value to the San Jose Sharks in 25-26.
That was evident after the winger injured his finger in what would be his final NHL game against the Philadelphia Flyers on March 21st. Barclay Goodrow held back tears during a postgame interview when asked about Reaves.
“He’s an unbelievable teammate. Sorry, guys.” *Goodrow broke down here* “He’s a guy that brings it all every night. Great, great friend,” Goodrow said. “He’s the best guy. Even when you know he’s not playing, he’s there for everyone. He works his butt off every day. I think everyone in the room can learn a lot from a guy like that.”
Congratulations to Ryan Reaves on an incredible career.
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