Radim Vrbata retires after 16 NHL seasons

Radim Vrbata is hanging up the skates.

The 37-year-old forward announced his retirement as a professional hockey player on Monday through his agent, Rich Evans on Twitter.

Longtime client Radim Vrbata announcing his retirement from the NHL today. Selected #212 overall in 1999, only 3 players from that draft class played more games and scored more points. His statement: pic.twitter.com/fJvjC0Jwff

— Rich Evans (@Hockeyagent) October 1, 2018

Vrbata concludes an impressive NHL career with 284 goals and 623 points in 1,057 games.

“I want to thank the fans and all seven organizations that I played for – Colorado Avalanche, Carolina Hurricanes, Chicago Blackhawks, Phoenix/Arizona Coyotes, Tampa Bay Lightning, Vancouver Canucks and Florida Panthers – and all the management and coaches who took a chance on me and gave me the opportunity to play in the NHL for 16 years,” Vrbata said in a statement. “I consider myself to be extremely fortunate to have played over 1000 NHL games and I am very grateful to have been part of the NHL for so long.”

Selected by the Avalanche in the seventh round of the 1999 NHL Entry Draft, Vrbata made his NHL debut in 2001-02 before going on to to play for seven total teams and scoring 20-plus goals on five different occasions.

Vrbata’s career offensive season came in 2014-15 with the Canucks where he racked up 31 goals and 63 points in 79 games. His career high in goals (35) came with the Coyotes in 2011-12.

Wishing all the best for the Czech sniper in his retirement.