Pavel Datsyuk plans to announce retirement from professional hockey

Set to turn 44 years old in a few weeks, it appears Pavel Datsyuk is ready to hang up his skates.

The Detroit Red Wings legend is in Krasnoyarsk, Russia for a charity farewell game being hosted by former NHLer Alexander Semin. Datsyuk told the media at the event that he plans to announce his retirement from professional hockey in the near future.

“Everything is logical, I just haven’t officially announced it yet,” Datsyuk said. “Everything is logical, everyone understands. I will definitely announce, with great pleasure and respect for the fans, for everyone who helped me.”

The Red Wings selected Datsyuk in the sixth round of the 1998 NHL draft and he made his debut with the team in 2001-02. Over 14 seasons in the NHL, all with the Red Wings, Datsyuk scored 314 goals and 918 points in 953 games and won two Stanley Cups, three Selke Trophies, and four Lady Byng Trophies.

Datsyuk left the Red Wings following the 2015-16 season and joined SKA St. Petersburg of the KHL. He won two Gagarin Cups across five seasons and helped The Olympic Athletes From Russia win gold in men’s hockey at the 2018 Winter Olympics in Pyeongchang.

He did not play during the 2021-22 season.