Veteran Defenseman Derian Hatcher Retires

Philadelphia Flyers defenseman Derian Hatcher announced his retirement from the NHL on Tuesday and was named player development coach of the Flyers. Hatcher missed all of the 2008-09 season with a knee injury he suffered last September. In 1045 NHL games, he scored 80 goals and 251 assists for 331 points and 1581 penalty minutes with the Minnesota North Stars/Dallas Stars, Detroit Red Wings, and Philadelphia Flyers. He won a Stanley Cup with Dallas in 1999. Throughout his NHL career, Hatcher was a very tough and physical defenseman who was also a great hitter. He could shutdown the opposition with his size and strength and was a good depth defenseman. Hatcher would have been an unrestricted free agent on July 1 and likely would have been facing retirement anyway as he had slowed down a lot in recent years and could not keep up with some of the younger players. However, it's a shame to see him end his NHL career with an injury that forced him to sit out what would have been his final season.

Hatcher's Career in Jeopardy

The Philadelphia Flyers announced on Thursday that defenseman Derian Hatcher will be placed on injured reserve to start the 2008-09 season due to a right knee injury. The Flyers report that Hatcher's knee injury is possibly career-threatening. Flyers general manager Paul Holmgren announced that Hatcher would not participate in training camp and would take some time to consider retirement. Hatcher played in 44 games last season with the Flyers, scoring two goals and adding five assists for seven points and 33 penalty minutes. He missed several games during various parts of the 2007-08 season with a nagging knee injury. In 16 NHL seasons, Hatcher has 80 goals and 251 assists for 331 points and 1581 penalty minutes in 1045 games with the Minnesota North Stars/Dallas Stars, Detroit Red Wings, and Philadelphia Flyers. During his playing career, Hatcher has been one of the most rugged and gritty defensemen in the league. It will be a shame if his career comes to an end because of the knee injury. NHL players do not deserve to see their careers cut short due to an injury.