2-time Stanley Cup champion Justin Schultz retires from NHL

Justin Schultz announced his retirement from the NHL on Wednesday following a career that spanned 745 games over 12 seasons and included a pair of Stanley Cups.

The 34-year-old went unsigned as a free agent this past offseason. He eventually joined HC Lugano of the Swiss League.

Schultz played for the Edmonton Oilers, Pittsburgh Penguins, Washington Capitals, and Seattle Kraken during his career. He found his greatest success with the Pens, where he was a part of back-to-back Stanley Cups in 2016 and 2017.

The second of those two championships was the pinnacle of Schultz's career. He tallied a career-high 51 points during the regular season and, with Kris Letang injured for the playoffs, stepped up in a huge way, tallying 13 points in 21 postseason games while quarterbacking the top power-play unit.

Schultz was drafted in the second round by the Anaheim Ducks in 2008. However, after a storied NCAA career at Wisconsin, where he was a two-time All-American, he and the Ducks failed to agree on a contract. Following a heavy recruitment process, he signed with the Oilers.

Schultz finishes his career with 71 goals and 253 assists. He played his last season with the Kraken in 2023-24.

The Kelowna, British Columbia native also represented Canada on the international stage at the 2013 World Championship.

Copyright © 2024 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.