The undrafted defenseman, who signed with the San Jose Sharks as a free agent Sept. 20, 2002, had 124 points (17 goals, 107 assists) in 784 games with the Sharks, Montreal Canadiens and Buffalo Sabres.
Instagram from @joshgorges2018: I would like to take the time to officially announce my retirement from the #NHL and the game of hockey. Even though this is a sad day I am extremely excited about the next chapter in my life and the opportunity to be back at home with my family. There is too many people to thank on here, but those of you who helped me along the way and helped me make my dreams come true I am forever greatful.I love the game of hockey and always will. It has given me everything I have today, taught me to be a man, taught me valuable life lessons that I would not have gotten anywhere else.Coming to the rink knowing I got to compete with and against the best in the world is one of the greatest feelings there is. So to all the teammates I got to play with, thank you for everything along the way I will miss you the most! #nhl #nhlpa #canadiens #sjsharks #sabres #whl #kelownarockets #hockeyhttp://ply.rs/iYFS30nj0vT
"I would like to take the time to officially announce my retirement from the NHL and the game of hockey,"
Gorges wrote on Instagram
. "Even though this is a sad day I am extremely excited about the next chapter in my life and the opportunity to be back at home with my family."
Before making his NHL debut Oct. 7, 2005, Georges won the 2004 Memorial Cup as captain of Kelowna of the Western Hockey League. He also helped Canada win a silver medal with three assists at the 2004 IIHF World Junior Championship.
Gorges was traded by the Sharks to the Canadiens on Feb. 25, 2007. He spent most of his NHL career (eight seasons) in Montreal, where he had 88 points (13 goals, 75 assists) and a plus-34 rating in 464 regular-season games and eight assists in 57 Stanley Cup Playoff games, including two trips to the Eastern Conference Final (2010, 2014).
"There is too many people to thank on here, but those of you who helped me along the way and helped me make my dreams come true I am forever grateful," Gorges said.
Gorges played his last four NHL seasons with the Sabres, who acquired him in a trade with the Canadiens on July 1, 2014. His final NHL game was a 4-3 loss to the Florida Panthers at BB&T Center on April 7, 2018.
"I love the game of hockey and always will," Gorges said. "It has given me everything I have today, taught me to be a man, taught me valuable life lessons that I would not have gotten anywhere else.
"Coming to the rink knowing I got to compete with and against the best in the world is one of the greatest feelings there is. So to all the teammates I got to play with, thank you for everything along the way I will miss you the most!"
