‘I feel extremely fortunate’: former Flame Matt Stajan announces retirement

CALGARY (660 NEWS) – After 14 seasons in the NHL, former Calgary Flame Matt Stajan has announced his retirement.

Stajan, who was drafted by the Toronto Maple Leafs in 2002 played in 1,003 NHL games.

He played five years in Toronto before being traded to the Calgary Flames, where he played eight seasons.

Congrats on a great career @MattStajan18! https://t.co/8wq4tZADgr

— Calgary Flames (@NHLFlames) December 3, 2019

Nearly four years into his tenure with the Flames, Stajan was signed to a contract extension that would ultimately allow him to finish his NHL career in Calgary.

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“As a kid growing up in Mississauga, Ontario, it was my dream to one day play in the NHL. To have had this dream come true, and have been able to play the sport that I love so much for so many years, is something I feel extremely fortunate and grateful for. The memories that I have made will truly last a lifetime,” he said.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2hAaWGPwsgI&feature=emb_title

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Off the ice, Stajan has had deep ties to Calgary’s Foothills Medical Centre following the death of his first-born child, Emerson, shortly after birth in 2014.

The hospital has renamed one of its emergency pods to honour Emerson and the Emerson Stajan Foundation also has been created.

Congrats on a great career @MattStajan18! A Scurfield and McCaig Award winner for off-ice work and leadership, we are grateful for your work and contributions to our community. We are so lucky to have you and @katiestajan on our team! Thank you!!#differencemakers #Flames #yyc

— Flames Foundation (@FlamesFdn) December 3, 2019

“I am filled with feelings of gratitude and joy as I close this chapter of my professional playing career. I have so much to be proud of and grateful for, and will forever cherish all the memories I have made over the years,” Stajan said. “Thank you everyone for making this incredible journey as a professional athlete one that I will never forget.”

He resides in Calgary with his wife Katie and their two sons, Elliot and Dylan.

 

– with files from The Canadian Press