The 36-year-old defenseman had 199 points (34 goals, 165 assists) in 842 regular-season games and 16 points (three goals, 13 assists) in 119 Stanley Cup Playoff games with the San Jose Sharks, Philadelphia Flyers and New York Rangers. He had seven points (two goals, five assists) and averaged 21:23 in 24 games to help the Sharks reach the Stanley Cup Final in 2016.
"I want to thank my wife and parents and kids for everything they did for me throughout my career," Braun said after the Flyers' final game of the season, a 5-4 win at the Chicago Blackhawks on April 13. "My wife being there while I was on the road, taking care of the kids … every guy I played with, an absolute honor."
He was chosen by the Sharks in the seventh round (No. 201) in the 2007 NHL Draft. He played nine seasons in San Jose and is fifth among Sharks defensemen with 607 games.
"I loved him," said Dallas Stars coach Peter DeBoer, who coached Braun with the Sharks from 2015-19. "Talk about a guy who carved out a career just playing a simple, steady, hard game. Great teammate, great husband and father, funny guy. He was a real pleasure to coach and probably played longer than maybe his skills allowed him to because of all the intangibles he brings to the rink as far as leadership and taking care of himself and being a good teammate and all those things. Fantastic career from a guy who wasn't handed anything, late-round pick. I've got a tremendous amount of respect for him."
Braun had two assists in 51 games with the Flyers this season and alluded to it being his final game after the win in Chicago.
"It didn't really hit me until [Ivan Provorov scored in overtime], that's it," Braun said. "It was an amazing run. … A tough day but a great run."
Braun's teammates pushed for him to get one point to reach 200 in the NHL, and even had him on the power play for the first time all season.
"Everyone loves 'Brauner,'" Flyers forward Travis Konecny said. "He's got such a dry sense of humor. He's been one of my best buddies on the team. We play cards pretty much every single road trip, every single flight. He lives near me so we drive in together. We're going to miss him."
Braun was talked into taking a solo lap before warmup, and the Flyers had his father, Paul, on the bench during the third period.
"Got to have my did on the bench, what an honor," Braun said. "He's been there for my whole career. He didn't know, [coach John Tortorella] told him before the period. It was awesome they let him do that."
NHL.com staff writer Tracey Myers contributed to this report
