NEWS: Shaw Ends Playing Career After 10 Seasons, Two Stanley Cups

CHICAGO BLACKHAWKS FORWARD ANDREW SHAW

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I am extremely proud of what I accomplished in my career, and I want to make it clear; I would not change anything about it. I won two Stanley Cups, made lifelong friends -- and some enemies, too -- and will cherish those memories for the rest of my life.

To the Chicago Blackhawks organization, Stan Bowman, and Rocky Wirtz, thank you for taking a chance on a kid who was passed over twice in the NHL Draft. Without their belief in me, my underdog story would not have been written. I also want to thank the Chicago Blackhawks Medical Staff -- Dr. Michael Terry, Mike Gapski, Jeff Thomas and Patrick Becker -- for providing me with the best care I could have asked for throughout my seven years in Chicago as well as the equipment staff -- Troy Parchman, Jimmy Heintzelman, Clint Reif and DJ Kogut -- for keeping me sharp on the ice.
To my wife, Chaunette and my kids, Andy and Dax, thank you for always standing in my corner and being my biggest fans. Thank you to my parents, Doug and Darlene, my brothers, Jason and Joshua and my sister, Alex, for always believing in me and shaping me into the man I am today. Thank you to my agent Pat Brisson for always treating me like a big dog even though I was just a little guy. And lastly, a special thanks to my coaches, Joel Quenneville, Claude Julien and Jeremy Colliton. I hope it was as fun for you to coach me as it was for me to play for you.
I will miss the locker room and my teammates from both Chicago and Montreal. I hope they will miss me too. Though I might have been excessively loud, pulled a prank once or twice and given you a hard time, I always prided myself on keeping the mood light and being the best teammate I could be. It was a pleasure competing with you night in and night out.
Most of all, I will miss the fans. I was lucky enough to play in two of the best hockey cities and fanbases in the world in Chicago and Montreal and I am grateful for my experiences with all of you. I gave everything I had every night for you, and you are the reason this was one of the toughest decisions in my life.
Thank you all for giving a mutt a home, and a chance to live out my dream.

CHICAGO BLACKHAWKS PRESIDENT OF HOCKEY OPERATIONS AND GENERAL MANAGER STAN BOWMAN

No two moments sum up Andrew Shaw more than his famous 'headbutt no-goal' and his game-winning goal in Game 1 of the Stanley Cup Final in 2013 that ricocheted off his shinpads. Throughout his 10-year career with the Chicago Blackhawks and Montreal Canadiens, Andrew was always willing to lay his body on the line and put his teammates before himself. He epitomized energy, determination, grit, and toughness and was a player his teammates loved to play with, but his opponents hated to play against.
Andrew played an integral role on two Stanley Cup Championship teams with the Blackhawks and grew into a leader in the latter part of his career. He kept the locker room on their toes but had the ability to keep his teammates relaxed and ready with his lively personality.
Though it is unfortunate Andrew's playing career is over, I admire him for making this difficult decision and putting his family and his well-being first. Andrew will always have a home here in Chicago and we wish him and his family nothing but the best in the next chapter of their lives.

CHICAGO BLACKHAWKS TEAM PHYSICIAN DR. MICHAEL TERRY

Andrew suffered another concussion on February 9 against the Dallas Stars. Though he has recovered, given the potential long-term consequences of repetitive concussions, we have advised him to discontinue his career as a professional hockey player. The Blackhawks are very supportive of his decision to prioritize his long-term health.