Ryan Getzlaf announces retirement after 2021-22 season

The 2021-22 NHL season will be Ryan Getzlaf‘s last in the NHL. The longtime Anaheim Ducks’ captain announced on Tuesday that he is retiring at the conclusion of this season, ending a 17-year career that was spent entirely in Anaheim.

Getzlaf was drafted by the Ducks in the first round of the 2003 NHL draft (No. 19 overall) and went on to become one of the best players in franchise history.

His last home game with the Ducks will be on April 24 against the St. Louis Blues. Anaheim concludes the regular season on April 29 against the Dallas Stars.

“It’s been an honor to play in the NHL and spend my entire professional career with one organization,” Getzlaf said in a statement released by the team. “None of this would have been possible without my family, who offered unwavering love and support each step of the way. Thank you to our owners, Henry and Susan Samueli, for leading an organization committed to success on the ice, but more importantly, to making a positive impact in our community and to those in need.

“A special thanks to the general managers, coaches, support staff, teammates, and of course, our fans. Playing for the Ducks and living in Orange County is a dream for an athlete, and much of that is because of you. Thank you all.”

Getzlaf is the franchise’s all-time leader in several major categories including regular season games played (1,150), assists (731), total points (1,013), postseason games (125), postseason goals (37), postseason assists (83), and postseason total points (120).

He has three goals and 28 assists for 31 total points in 49 games this season.

Getzlaf played a key role in the Ducks’ 2006-07 Stanley Cup run, finishing that postseason with 17 points in 21 games, including two goals and two