By Jordan Long
Chicago Blackhawks’ defenseman Brian Campbell decided it was time to retire from the game of hockey. He spent 17 years in the NHL playing for 4 different teams, the Buffalo Sabers, San Jose Sharks, Chicago Blackhawks, and the Florida Panthers. According to ESPN, Campbell said, “I’m excited to transition into the next step in both my professional career and life. I’m grateful to the countless number of teammates, coaches, team staff and fans that I have crossed paths with throughout my playing career in Chicago, Buffalo, Florida and San Jose. The Blackhawks organization has allowed me to take on this challenge and I’m thankful for this new opportunity.”
Campbell started his NHL career with the Buffalo Sabers in the 1999-2000 season. He didn’t play much, appearing in 12 games. In 2002 he became a regular starter and scored 2 goals while adding 17 assists for a total of 19 points. During that season Campbell helped them on the power play with 3 assists. His best year in Buffalo was in 2007 when he scored 6 goals and added 42 assists for a total of 48 points.
Campbell then went to Chicago for 3 years. They hoped that he would bring not only toughness to the blue line, but would be a skater who setup the power play and ultimately help them win a the Stanley Cup. In 2010 that dream came true when Campbell won the Cup with the Chicago Blackhawks.
The Blackhawks made the tough decision during the 2011 NHL Draft and traded Campbell to the Florida Panthers for Rostislav Olesz. He was in a Panthers uniform for 5 years. He recorded a career high 53 points in the 2011-2012 season.
Campbell decided to come back to Chicago for one more year this past season. He showed that he was still a force on the power play with 2 goals and 3 assists on the man advantage.
It is surprising that Campbell decided to retire. He was still productive on full strength and on special teams. Campbell felt it was time to leave the game.
His accomplishments in the NHL tell his story. Campbell leaves the NHL with a total of 1,082 games played. In those games he scored 87 goals and added 417 assists for a total of 504 points and was voted into 4 All-Star games. Campbell took home the Lady Byng Memorial Trophy in 2012 and won a Cup in 2010. There was nothing left for him to prove in the game of hockey.
Campbell may not be enshrined in the Hockey Hall of Fame but he will be remembered as a defenseman who could score and feed his teammates. Campbell also broke up scoring opportunities by the opponents. He could block shots and poke check pucks away. His style of play will be missed.
What do you think of Brian Campbell retiring from the game of Hockey?
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