New York Rangers’ defenseman Dan Boyle told reporters today that he’ll likely retire from hockey, citing family reasons. The 39-year old has played 1093 games in his NHL career.
#NYR Dan Boyle said his agent has informed him of interest from teams, likely to retire for family reasons.
— Seán Hartnett (@SeanLikesSports) April 26, 2016
Boyle, a classic underdog story in the NHL, signed with the Rangers in 2014 after being a mainstay on the San Jose Sharks’ blue line for six seasons. Prior to his time with the Sharks, he spent six seasons in Tampa Bay, playing a crucial role in the Lightning’s Stanley Cup Championship in 2004.
His two seasons with the Rangers were quite the mixed bag of good and bad reviews but for the most part, many were disappointed. He recorded 44 points in 139 games with New York.
If he does indeed retire, Boyle will finish his NHL career with 163 goals and 605 total points throughout his 1039 games played. A very respectable career for someone constantly battling the odds of being undersized and too offensively minded.
While speaking with media today, Boyle also made a few surprising comments regarding members of the press.
Tense moment. Dan Boyle asks Brett Cyrgalis and Larry Brooks to leave the scrum. Says the rest of the press can stay.
— Seán Hartnett (@SeanLikesSports) April 26, 2016
https://twitter.com/ThomasDrance/status/724961062026641408
Brett Cyrgalis was not in attendance, as he is covering the Islanders but it made for a very awkward moment none-the-less. It’s possible that Boyle could change his mind on retirement this summer but as of right now, it seems that the final game of his NHL career was game six in Pittsburgh in which he watched from the press box after being scratched by head coach Alain Vigneault.