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Jesper Fast announces retirement

33-year-old Jesper Fast announces his retirement from professional hockey after playing a combined 703 games for Carolina and the New York Rangers.
ByJennifer Streeter|
Carolina Hurricanes v New York Rangers
Carolina Hurricanes v New York Rangers | Bruce Bennett/GettyImages

Jesper Fast, a former New York Rangers player and right wing for the Carolina Hurricanes, announced his retirement from playing professional ice hockey.

The 33-year old finished with 703 career regular-season games under his belt between the Rangers and the Hurricanes over 11 seasons of play. Fast tallied 91 goals and 157 assists alongside a plus-41 plus/minus rating. The Nassjo, Sweden native also played in 80 postseason games, totaling 27 points across 14 goals and 13 assists in Stanley Cup Playoff games. Fast's retirement comes after he missed the 2024-25 National Hockey League season after undergoing next surgery back in August.

He was injured during Carolina’s regular-season finale against the Columbus Blue Jackets on April 16, 2024.

While Fast ended his career with Carolina, it began with the Rangers. He was originally selected by the Rangers in the sixth round as the No. 157 overall pick at the 2010 NHL Draft. He would then serve as New York’s alternate captain from 2017-2020, and was a five-time winner of the Rangers’ Players’ Player Award from 2015-2020.

Before Jonathan Quick became a Blueshirt, Fast held the nickname of “Quickie” to Rangers fans.

Fast's undeniable best season came during the 2021-22 campaign in which he recorded 14 goals and 34 points in 82 games with the Hurricanes. He also received votes for the Lady Byng Trophy as the league's most gentlemanly player and Selke Trophy as the league's best defensive forward.

He recorded six goals and 19 points in 73 games during the 2023-24 campaign and added six goals and nine points in 15 playoff games before sustaining the previously referenced neck injury.

"I never took for granted the privilege of playing in the best league in the world. I am grateful for all of the teammates, coaches, staff and fans from the Rangers and Hurricanes who made my time in the NHL so special, and for my family for everything they did to help me achieve and live my dream. I'd also like to thank Nässjö HC and HV71, organizations that played a vital role in my development into an NHL player."
Jesper Fast