Ryan Reaves announced his retirement from professional hockey on Wednesday at age 39, ending a 16-year career as one of the league's most recognizable enforcers. Reaves, a fifth-round pick by the St. Louis Blues in the 2005 NHL Draft, spent his first seven seasons with the Blues before playing for Pittsburgh, Vegas, the New York Rangers, Minnesota, Toronto, and returning to St. Louis.
Reaves made the announcement via social media, per multiple outlets. His last NHL season came with the San Jose Sharks, where he played on a one-year contract worth $1.35 million that expired over the summer, making him an unrestricted free agent heading into this season.
The specifics of his career statistics vary slightly across reporting. One outlet reported Reaves played 962 games, while another stated he skated in 1,075 games from his 2010 debut through last season, accumulating 1,253 penalty minutes. ESPN's Stephen Whyno noted that Reaves' retirement leaves just three players remaining in the NHL who do not wear a visor.