FILE - In this Jan. 14, 2017, file photo, Anaheim Ducks center Antoine Vermette pauses before a faceoff during the first period of an NHL hockey game against the Arizona Coyotes in Glendale, Ariz. Vermette announced his retirement Thursday, Jan. 31, 2019, after playing 14 NHL seasons and establishing himself as one of the best faceoff men of his generation. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin, FIle)
Republished January 31, 2019 - 10:31 AM
Original Publication Date January 31, 2019 - 9:36 AM
TORONTO - Antoine Vermette has retired from the NHL after 14 seasons.
The 36-year-old made the announcement through the NHL Players' Association on Thursday.
Vermette scored 228 goals and registered 287 assists for 515 points in 1,046 regular-season games with the Ottawa Senators, Columbus Blue Jackets, Phoenix/Arizona Coyotes, Chicago Blackhawks and Anaheim Ducks.
The native of St. Agapit, Que., added 14 goals and 14 assists in 97 playoff contests.
Selected 55th overall by Ottawa in the 2000 NHL draft, Vermette won the Stanley Cup with Chicago in 2015, scoring three game-winning goals for the Blackhawks that spring.
The dependable two-way centre retires with the 14th-most faceoff wins in NHL history at 8,948 and a 56.6 per cent success rate.
Vermette was traded by the Senators to the Blue Jackets in 2009, and would put up career-highs in goals (27), assists (38) and points (65) the following season.
He became the 313th skater in league history to play 1,000 games on Nov. 15, 2017, with Anaheim.
News from © The Canadian Press, 2019