The New York Rangers ex-captain, Chris Drury, has hung up his skates and retired from pro hockey.
August 20, 2011- Chris Drury, the ex-captain of the New York Rangers, announced his retirement from the National Hockey League on Friday. The announcement ended speculation of whether or not he would return for a 13th season.
On June 29th the Rangers bought out the last year of his contract as he accepted the buyout instead of using medical grounds to contest it.
By doing so he became an unrestricted free agent. Even though there were rumors of interest from some teams, he announced through the NHL Players Association his official retirement.
Drury played college hockey at Boston University and was drafted by Quebec and played his first NHL game with the Colorado Rockies after the Nordiques relocated there. In 2001 he won a Stanley Cup championship with the Avalanche when they defeated the New Jersey Devils.
After that he was traded to Calgary and then to Buffalo before landing with the Rangers in 2007. He became their captain in 2008. He scored 255 goals and had 360 assists for his career in 892 games and his playoff scoring included 47 goals and 42 assists in 135 games.
He became the first player ever to win the most outstanding college hockey player’s Hobey Baker Award and the Calder Trophy representing the NHL’s rookie of the year.
