Gunnarsson retires after 12-year NHL career

RELATED: Gunnarsson: Goodbye to the game I love
St. Louis Blues defenseman Carl Gunnarsson announced his retirement today after a 12-year National Hockey League (NHL) career.
The Orebro, Sweden native was originally drafted by Toronto in the 2007 NHL Draft and joined the Blues via trade on June 28, 2014.

Gunnarsson will forever be remembered for his heroics in Game 2 of the 2019 Stanley Cup Final, as he scored the game-winning overtime goal to even the series with Boston and give the Blues their first-ever win in the Final. His goal drove the Blues to win the series in seven games and bring St. Louis its first Stanley Cup Championship.
"Carl is the consummate professional and has been a great player for the Blues for the past seven seasons," said Blues President of Hockey Operations/GM Doug Armstrong. "From his legendary goal in Game 2 of the Final to his numerous contributions to the St. Louis community, he will continue to be a shining example for current and future Blues."

Gunnarsson spent his first five seasons with Toronto before coming to St. Louis for his final seven. As a Blue, he dressed in 325 regular-season games and tallied 52 points (15 goals, 37 assists), a plus-41 rating and 87 penalty minutes. Gunnarsson also appeared in 61 postseason games with the Blues, recording six points (one goal, five assists), a plus-13 rating and 19 penalty minutes. He finishes his career ranked 22nd among Blues defensemen in regular-season games and eighth in postseason games.
Gunnarsson is one of 10 defensemen in Blues history to log over 300 regular-season games and a plus-40 rating, joining the likes of Al MacInnis, Chris Pronger, Barret Jackman and Barclay Plager.
For his career, Gunnarsson played in 629 regular-season games, accumulating 138 points (30 goals, 108 assists), a plus-55 rating and 179 penalty minutes.
Instagram from @carl\_gun: From this -> to this. Sometimes dreams do come true. I've decided to retire from the game of hockey. I will be forever grateful for all the friends, fans, coaches, staff that has been a part of my journey. Thank you!And of course my family. Thank you, I love you!