Ryan Reaves Retires After 15-Year NHL Career

Ryan Reaves, a veteran NHL forward renowned for his physical presence, announced his retirement from professional hockey on September 16, 2026. The 39-year-old was an unrestricted free agent after his one-year, $1.35 million contract with the San Jose Sharks expired over the summer, marking the end of a career that lasted more than 15 years and included 962 NHL games. Reaves scored just 66 goals and 140 points throughout his career, never reaching double-digit goals in a single season and hitting 20 points only once. However, his impact extended far beyond the scoresheet. Standing 6-foot-2 and weighing 225 pounds, he established himself as one of the league's most feared enforcers, recording 3,225 hits in his NHL tenure. This total ranks sixth in league history, and he is one of only six players to surpass 3,000 hits since the statistic began being tracked. His career-high of 316 hits came during the 2019-20 season. Fighting was a significant part of Reaves' game, especially early in his career. According to HockeyFights tracking, he engaged in 96 fights over his NHL career.