Former Chicago Blackhawks star announces retirement from professional hockey

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Joshua Deeds
October 4, 2024 (2:51 PM)

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Former Chicago Blackhawks center Artem Anisimov played 771 games in the NHL and played for multiple franchises, including the New York Rangers, Ottawa Senators, and Columbus Blue Jackets.

Today at the age of 36, he has announced that he will be retiring from professional hockey for good.

He'd announce on social media, via X.com/Instagram with both English and Russian translations.

«Time to make it official. I gave hockey my all as a player and decided to hang up the skates. I have been blessed to have a wonderful career, playing alongside many hockey legends on the biggest hockey stages, making a lot of good friends along the way.»

He played a total of 20 years of professional hockey and would thank those who have helped him along the way.

«I am not a big social media person and usually the man of the very few words publicly, but I just wanted to take time to thank everyone - my teammates and coaches throughout the years, all the staff (you guys are the best) from the teams I have played for, organizations I have been a part of, and of course the fans. Thank you all for your support!
Arty Party will live on!»

Anisimov played a total of 771 games in the NHL, scoring 376 points( 180 G, 196 A). He'd play a total of 82 playoff games in the NHL adding an extra 32 points( 15 G, 17 A).

Source: Artem Anisimov, Hockey Reference
Artem Anisimov

His time in Chicago was fairly short, but he would spend his time playing with legends like Patrick Kane and Jonathan Toews.

He'd never win a Stanley Cup but experienced playoff games playing for the New York Rangers, Chicago Blackhawks, and New York Rangers.

On of the most memorable moments in Anisimov's career came with the Rangers against the Tampa Bay Lightning. In an early December 2011 matchup, some slick passing set up Anisimov for an easy short-handed goal against Mathieu Garon.

After scoring, Anisimov dropped to a knee and celebrated by imitating a sniper pose on Garon. The Lightning didn't like the gesture and a brawl quickly followed. He later apologized for the celebration.

Anisimov spent the end of his career playing in the AHL with the Lehigh Valley Phantom and Hartford Wolfpack. The last time he was seen in the NHL was during 2020-2021 with the Ottawa Senators.

Anisimov at the end of his career was no longer the dynamic winger we saw in Chicago and New York.

It's a shame he never got to win a Stanley Cup, but he got to live out his dream of playing in the NHL, something, not many people get to do.

Source: SI
Former Blackhawks Forward Announces Retirement

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Do you think the Chicago Blackhawks should have traded Artem Anisimov, Jeremy Morin, and Corey Tropp for Brandon Saad, Alex Broadhurst, and Michael Paliotta?
Yes	21	43.8 %
No	23	47.9 %
Brandon Saad wasn't worth it	4	8.3 %
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