Ryan Reaves Announces Retirement, Signs Off In The Most Ryan Reaves Way Possible

Ryan Reaves has hung up his skates. The bruising winger announced his retirement from the NHL on Instagram, closing the book on a 16-season career that spanned 962 games.

True to form, Reaves made a moment out of his announcement. He wrote a letter thanking everyone. His close was particularly memorable. “You can rest easy knowing the corners are a little safer today. Mic drop, gloves drop. Reavo out.”

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Reaves talked about growing up wanting to be an athlete, admitting he was always drawn less to finesse and more to physical, hard-nosed play. He reminisced about how unlikely it would have seemed to his ten-year-old self that he’d go on to play in the NHL for sixteen years, and he acknowledged just how difficult it is not only to break into the league, but to stick around in it for as long as he did.

“It’s hard to put into words what you meant to me. What you mean to me.

I had dreams of being an athlete. Football, hockey—it didn’t matter. I learned at a young age that I just wanted to lay people out. The physical part of sports was what I was always drawn to. I knew that’s what I wanted, but tell 10-year-old Reavo he was going to play in the NHL for 16 seasons? I don’t think he’d believe you.

It’s hard to make this league. It’s even harder to stay in it. For everything I put into my 16 years, the game gave me back x1,000.

But unfortunately, Father Time remains undefeated. Every hit, every fight—it’s taken its final toll on me. I love this sport more than almost anything in this world. It has taken me to places I never thought I’d go and has introduced me to people I’ll cherish for the rest of my life. The fans, the haters, the ups, the downs…I wouldn’t trade it for anything.

I never thought this day would come. I thought I was invincible. I thought I could play forever, but like all good things, it must come to an end.

Today, I retire from the sport I’ve loved since I was 5 years old. It was a hell of a ride. Thank you to everyone who supported me throughout this journey. There are too many to single out, so you’ll hear from me at some point.

I may not be on the ice anymore, but I know I will always be close to hockey in one way or another.

You can rest easy knowing the corners are a little safer today.

Mic drop, gloves drop.

Reavo out.

The NHL Reacts To Reaves Retiring

It didn’t take long for players to see his announcement and send their own messages. “Happy retirement, legend!!” wrote Mitch Marner, his teammate in Toronto. Another former Maple Leafs teammate, Max Domi, added, “Love you brother. What a career.” Max’s father, Tie Domi, wrote, “Well done Reavo proud of you pal Good luck in the next chapter.”

Reaves made a stop in San Jose and Will Smith wrote, simply, “Legend.”

Former NHLer and fellow tough guy, Sheldon Souray, added, “Congrats Big dawg!!! Helluva run!!! Playing golf with you was more dangerous for your teammates than playing a game with you (@jonmarchessault)!!! Looking forward to seeing soon!! Congrats on a really great career.”

While his playing days are over, Reaves said he expects to stay connected to the game in some capacity going forward. Whether that be in an on-air role via the media or broadcasting, or with a team’s front office, remains to be seen.

It’s a fitting goodbye message for one of the league’s most physical and colorful characters — heartfelt where it counted, blunt and funny. That’s how he played and conducted himself during his career. It only makes sense he would stay himself as he says farewell.

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