Ryan Johansen, the Nashville Predators' sixth all-time leading scorer, has officially retired from professional hockey after a 13-year NHL career. The 33-year-old center announced his decision on Thursday, marking the end of a journey that saw him become a fan favorite and a key player in the league.
Johansen last played in the NHL during the 2023-24 season, where he scored 13 goals and added 10 assists, totaling 23 points in 63 games with the Colorado Avalanche. A trade deadline move sent him to the Philadelphia Flyers, but an injury discovered during the trade meant he stayed on the NHL roster rather than moving to the AHL. Following that season, he was placed on unconditional waivers.
Originally from Vancouver, Johansen was the fourth overall pick by the Columbus Blue Jackets in the 2010 NHL Entry Draft. He emerged as a top-six center in his third season, recording 33 goals and 30 assists for 63 points across 82 games in 2013-14. The following season, he hit a career-high with 71 points, earning a spot in the NHL All-Star Game.
A pivotal moment in Johansen’s career came during the 2015-16 season when he was traded to Nashville in exchange for defenseman Seth Jones. This move proved significant for both Johansen and the Predators.
Over seven-plus seasons in Nashville, Johansen was instrumental in the team’s 2017 Stanley Cup Finals run, contributing 13 points in 14 playoff games. His time with the Predators saw him amass 110 goals and 252 assists for 362 points in 533 regular-season games, securing his place as a standout player in the franchise's history.
Johansen’s retirement marks the end of an era for a player who left a lasting impact on the ice, both as a Predator and throughout his NHL career.