Preds Defenseman Hamhuis Announces Retirement

After 16 NHL seasons and more than 1,100 games, Dan Hamhuis is hanging up the skates.

The Predators defenseman announced his retirement on Thursday afternoon during a radio interview with TSN 1040 in Vancouver. Drafted 12th overall by Nashville in 2001, "Hammer" skated with the Preds in his first six seasons in the League, before returning to Tennessee for what were now his final two NHL campaigns.

"I'm happily going into a retirement now from hockey," Hamhuis said in the interview. "I feel really at peace with it. In March, when the season closed down, we didn't even have a year-end party or anything, we just kind of scattered. I was like, 'Well, if that's it, that's it.' I was at peace with it then."

Soft spoken off the ice, the 37-year-old native of Smithers, British Columbia, played for Nashville, Vancouver and Dallas, and was known to dish out a mean hip check against opponents. Hamhuis amassed 59 goals and 356 points in 1,148 regular season games over his career, and he appeared in 68 playoff contests, including a run to the Stanley Cup Final with the Canucks in 2011.

The blueliner was also active in the community and a consistent supporter of the Predators Foundation throughout his eight seasons in Nashville. Hamhuis even stepped up when he wasn't asked, including a story told in a Twitter thread by Preds Manager of Hockey Operations Brandon Walker.

Hamhuis, who said he may one day like to get into the "mentoring, coaching side" of the game, is looking forward to spending time with his wife, Sarah, and their three daughters in the meantime.

"It's been unbelievable," Hamhuis said of his career. I feel very fortunate to have played for the three organizations that I have. Couldn't have asked for better places to play, but I think the thing I'll look back on most is just all those relationships and friendships that you make over the years."

On behalf of the entire Predators organization, here's wishing Dan and his family all the best in the next chapter of their lives - and a heartfelt thank you to his impact in the Nashville community on and off the ice.