Blue Line Station
Fansided

Derek Stepan Retires: A Rangers fan farewell

By Marvin Azrak

OTTAWA, ON - APRIL 27: Derek Stepan #21 of the New York Rangers skates against the Ottawa Senators in Game One of the Eastern Conference Second Round during the 2017 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at Canadian Tire Centre on April 27, 2017 in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. (Photo by Jana Chytilova/Freestyle Photography/Getty Images) *** Local Caption ***
OTTAWA, ON - APRIL 27: Derek Stepan #21 of the New York Rangers skates against the Ottawa Senators in Game One of the Eastern Conference Second Round during the 2017 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at Canadian Tire Centre on April 27, 2017 in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. (Photo by Jana Chytilova/Freestyle Photography/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** /
facebooktwitterreddit

As he retires, we celebrate Derek Stepan’s Rangers Career. Join us in reliving the unforgettable moments and expressing gratitude to a Blueshirts icon.

It’s a bittersweet day for us New York Rangers fans as Derek Stepan, a true Blueshirts legend, announced his retirement after 13 incredible seasons in the NHL. We celebrated several unforgettable moments watching him on the ice, and now it’s time to bid farewell to a fan favorite.

Stepan recently became a free agent and spent the last two seasons with the Carolina Hurricanes. While his final year wasn’t his best, with just 11 points in 73 games, his impact on the game goes far beyond statistics.

Derek Stepan: Thanks to a Broadway star

We will forever be grateful for Stepan’s time in New York, where he wore the Rangers jersey for seven memorable seasons (2011-2017).
He was selected by the Blueshirts in the second round (51st overall) of the 2008 draft. After two seasons with Wisconsin, he was promoted to Broadway. And the rest was history.

Who can forget that jaw-dropping NHL debut when he scored a hat trick in a 6-3 victory over the Buffalo Sabres in October 2010?
And then, of course, there’s the stuff of legends: his Game 7 overtime winner against the Washington Capitals in round two of the 2015 playoffs. Madison Square Garden was electric that night.

In his 890-game career, Stepan accumulated 182 goals and 333 assists, along with a remarkable 55 points in 120 playoff games. Those numbers tell the story of a player who consistently showed up when it mattered most.

And let’s not forget his contributions to Team USA. Stepan proudly represented his country in various international tournaments, including being captain of the Gold Medal-winning World Juniors team in 2010. He was skating with John Carlson, who scored the Golden Goal against Canada.

He also played on the World Championship tournament team in (2011), the Olympics (2014), and the World Cup of Hockey (2016).

As Stepan, 33, hangs up his skates and bolts for the Minnesota Wild front office, he leaves with $49 million in career earnings over 13 seasons.

Thank you, Derek, for the memories, the goals, and the unwavering dedication to the game we love. You’ll always have a special place in the hearts of Blueshirts nation.

Home/Rangers News