Carl Hagelin announced his retirement from the NHL at age 35, citing an eye injury that sidelined him for nearly a year and a half.

Hagelin hasn’t played since being hit in the left eye by a stick during Washington Capitals practice on March 1, 2022. He underwent surgery and the team quickly called the game. serious injury, with concerns about Hagelin’s quality of life outside of hockey.

The Swede also underwent hip surgery in February. She followed an arthroscopy she underwent in October, aimed at trying to heal a chronic injury to her left hip.

Hagelin announced his decision through a post on his Instagram account on Wednesday, talking about his career as an extraordinary road that ends here.

“Unfortunately my eye injury is too serious to continue playing the sport I love,” he said. I want to thank all of my amazing teammates, doctors and other staff that I have met and played with over the years. »

Hagelin is retiring after winning the Stanley Cup twice with the Pittsburgh Penguins, in 2016 and 2017.

A sixth-round pick of the New York Rangers in 2007, Hagelin impressed them enough during four years at the University of Michigan to earn a spot in the minors. He played just 17 games in the American Hockey League before being called up to the NHL and was there for over a decade.

Since his debut in 2011, Hagelin has played 854 season and playoff games in 11 campaigns with the Rangers, Anaheim Ducks, Los Angeles Kings, Penguins and Capitals.