The forward, selected by the New York Rangers in the fourth round (No. 127) of the 2004 NHL Draft, scored 386 points (186 goals, 200 assists) in 757 games with the Rangers and Tampa Bay Lightning, and 39 points (20 goals, 19 assists) in 121 Stanley Cup Playoff games.
"Let's make it official," Callahan said in a tweet. "I did not play last year due to a back injury, but I am officially announcing my retirement from the NHL. Reflecting on my career, it's hard to wrap my head around how lucky and grateful I am for being able to live out my childhood dream for 13 amazing years."
The 35-year-old scored at least 22 goals four times, including an NHL career-high 29 with New York in 2011-12. He was captain of the Rangers from Sept. 12, 2011, until March 5, 2014, when he was traded to the Lightning as part of a deal for forward Martin St. Louis.
"First, I want to thank the New York Rangers organization for giving me a chance," Callahan said. "Playing in front of the Blueshirt faithful, at the world's most famous arena (Madison Square Garden), is something I will always remember and cherish. There is no feeling like hearing the Garden erupt from scoring a goal, blocking a shot or making a big hit! My proudest moment in my career was being able to wear the C on a Rangers sweater."
Callahan helped the Lightning reach the Stanley Cup Final in 2015, when they lost in six games to the Chicago Blackhawks. He tied his NHL career high with 54 points (24 goals, 30 assists) in 77 games with the Lightning in 2014-15 but was limited by injuries for much of his five seasons with Tampa Bay. The Lightning traded him to the Ottawa Senators on July 30, 2019, and he never played another NHL game because of a back injury.
"I never knew the amount of support the Lightning had in Tampa until I got there, and wow, I was blown away," Callahan said. "The passion and the love the community has for the Bolts is second to none. We had so much success on the ice, but my moment of pride came off ice with the launch of the Ryan Callahan Foundation. I want to thank owner Jeff Vinik for helping my wife and I get our organization off the ground in Tampa."
Callahan played for the United States in the 2010 Vancouver Olympics and 2014 Sochi Olympics, helping it win the silver medal in 2010.
