Latest news with #JesperFast
Yahoo
3 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Carolina Hurricanes forward retires from NHL due to injuries
The Carolina Hurricanes Jesper Fast (71) and Jesperi Kotkaniemi (82) react after a goal by teammate Teuvo Teravainen (86) to give the Hurricanes a 2-1 lead in the second period on Wednesday, October 11, 2023 at PNC Arena, in Raleigh N.C. The Carolina Hurricanes Jesper Fast (71) scores the game winning goal in overtime, securing a 3-2 victory in Game 5 and clinching their second round Stanley Cup playoff series on Thursday, May 11, 2023 at PNC Arena in Raleigh, N.C. The Carolina Hurricanes Jesper Fast (71) scores the game winning goal in overtime, securing a 3-2 victory in Game 5 and clinching their second round Stanley Cup playoff series on Thursday, May 11, 2023 at PNC Arena in Raleigh, N.C. The Carolina Hurricanes Jesper Fast (71) and Jesperi Kotkaniemi (82) react after a goal by teammate Teuvo Teravainen (86) to give the Hurricanes a 2-1 lead in the second period on Wednesday, October 11, 2023 at PNC Arena, in Raleigh N.C. The Carolina Hurricanes Jesper Fast (71) scores the game winning goal in overtime, securing a 3-2 victory in Game 5 and clinching their second round Stanley Cup playoff series on Thursday, May 11, 2023 at PNC Arena in Raleigh, N.C. Jesper Fast always hoped of recovering from a neck injury and returning to the Carolina Hurricanes and the NHL. But the forward has decided to retire. The Hurricanes announced Monday that the Swedish winger had made the decision to end his NHL career after 11 seasons. Advertisement Fast, 33, was a valuable and versatile player for the Hurricanes, capable of playing an effective 200-foot game. He was a part of three Stanley Cup playoff teams with Carolina, at times playing with center Jordan Staal and winger Jordan Martinook to form a formidable checking line. Fast twice had overtime goals during the 2023 playoffs. The first beat the New York Islanders in Game 2 of the opening round, and the second goal clinched the Canes' playoff series in Game 5 against New Jersey. Fast was injured in the final game of the 2023-24 season in Columbus after taking a cross-check from the Blue Jackets' Erik Gudbranson and crashing into the boards. During his end-of-season media interview, Fast said sitting out the 2024 playoffs was the 'worst-case scenario' and said he was 'hopeful' of a return. But Fast had neck surgery Aug. 6, 2024 and was ruled out of the 2024-25 season as he underwent physical rehab. Advertisement 'I never took for granted the privilege of playing in the best league in the world,' Fast said in a statement. 'I am grateful for all of the teammates, coaches, staff and fans from the Rangers and Hurricanes who made my time in the NHL so special, and for my family for everything they did to help me achieve and live my dream.' Fast played 703 career regular-season games for the New York Rangers and Hurricanes over 11 seasons, finishing with 91 goals and 157 assists and a plus-41 plus/minus rating. The Nassjo, Sweden, native also appeared in 80 career Stanley Cup playoff games. Fast, after playing parts of seven seasons with the Rangers, signed with Carolina as a free agent on October 2020. He established career highs in games played (82), goals (14), points (34) and plus/minus (+24) in the 2021-22 season. Fast was selected as the winner of the Steve Chiasson Award that honors the player who best exemplifies determination and dedication while proving to be an inspiration to his teammates through his performance and approach to the game. Fast was in the second year of a two-year contract that paid $2.4 million a year and was due to become an unrestricted free agent.
Reuters
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Reuters
Canes' Jesper Fast announces retirement from professional hockey
June 3 - Eleven-year NHL veteran Jesper Fast announced his retirement from professional hockey earlier today. Fast, 33, played his final four seasons in Carolina and was a playoff hero for the Hurricanes in the spring of 2023. He sustained a neck injury in the final regular season game of the 2023-24 season vs. the Columbus Blue Jackets and did not compete in Carolina's recently-concluded campaign. Fast was one of several prominent veteran players who did not dress for any games during the season due to injury. Torey Krug (St. Louis), T.J. Oshie (Washington) and Tucker Poolman (Colorado) were also on long-term injured reserve in 2024-25. Fast spent his first seven seasons in the NHL with the New York Rangers and earned their alternate captain sweater from 2017-20. "I never took for granted the privilege of playing in the best league in the world," said Fast. "I am grateful for all of the teammates, coaches, staff and fans from the Rangers and Hurricanes who made my time in the NHL so special, and for my family for everything they did to help me achieve and live my dream." The native of Nassjo, Sweden was an unheralded sixth-round draft pick by the Rangers in 2010 (157th overall), but surpassed a vast majority of more celebrated members of that draft class, currently ranking 24th with 94 goals and 248 points in 703 career games. Fast debuted with the Rangers in October of the 2013-14 season, but did not record his first point until dishing out an assist in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference quarterfinals vs. Philadelphia. He scored 55 goals and added 92 assists for the Rangers from 2013-20 and came up clutch in the playoffs, tallying three goals in both the 2014-15 and 2016-17 post-season. Fast was a five-time recipient of the Rangers' Players' Player Award from 2015-2020. He signed with the Hurricanes as a free agent ahead of the 2020-21 season. Fast played in all 82 games that season and produced career highs in goals (14), points (34) and plus/minus (+24). Canes' players tabbed him as the winner of the Steve Chiasson Award for that season. The award honors "the player who best exemplifies determination and dedication while proving to be an inspiration to his teammates through his performance and approach to the game." In his final playoff appearances in 2023, Fast became just the fourth player in Carolina franchise history to produce multiple overtime winners in a single postseason. He scored in overtime in Game 2 of Carolina's first round series vs. the New York Islanders and found the net again in the series-clinching Game 5 of the Canes' second round victory over the New Jersey Devils. --Field Level Media
Hindustan Times
3 days ago
- Sport
- Hindustan Times
Canes' Jesper Fast announces retirement from professional hockey
Eleven-year NHL veteran Jesper Fast announced his retirement from professional hockey earlier today. Fast, 33, played his final four seasons in Carolina and was a playoff hero for the Hurricanes in the spring of 2023. He sustained a neck injury in the final regular season game of the 2023-24 season vs. the Columbus Blue Jackets and did not compete in Carolina's recently-concluded campaign. Fast was one of several prominent veteran players who did not dress for any games during the season due to injury. Torey Krug , T.J. Oshie and Tucker Poolman were also on long-term injured reserve in 2024-25. Fast spent his first seven seasons in the NHL with the New York Rangers and earned their alternate captain sweater from 2017-20. "I never took for granted the privilege of playing in the best league in the world," said Fast. "I am grateful for all of the teammates, coaches, staff and fans from the Rangers and Hurricanes who made my time in the NHL so special, and for my family for everything they did to help me achieve and live my dream." The native of Nassjo, Sweden was an unheralded sixth-round draft pick by the Rangers in 2010 , but surpassed a vast majority of more celebrated members of that draft class, currently ranking 24th with 94 goals and 248 points in 703 career games. Fast debuted with the Rangers in October of the 2013-14 season, but did not record his first point until dishing out an assist in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference quarterfinals vs. Philadelphia. He scored 55 goals and added 92 assists for the Rangers from 2013-20 and came up clutch in the playoffs, tallying three goals in both the 2014-15 and 2016-17 post-season. Fast was a five-time recipient of the Rangers' Players' Player Award from 2015-2020. He signed with the Hurricanes as a free agent ahead of the 2020-21 season. Fast played in all 82 games that season and produced career highs in goals , points and plus/minus . Canes' players tabbed him as the winner of the Steve Chiasson Award for that season. The award honors "the player who best exemplifies determination and dedication while proving to be an inspiration to his teammates through his performance and approach to the game." In his final playoff appearances in 2023, Fast became just the fourth player in Carolina franchise history to produce multiple overtime winners in a single postseason. He scored in overtime in Game 2 of Carolina's first round series vs. the New York Islanders and found the net again in the series-clinching Game 5 of the Canes' second round victory over the New Jersey Devils. Field Level Media
New York Post
3 days ago
- Sport
- New York Post
Ex-Rangers winger Jesper Fast retires after missing entire season with neck injury
Jesper Fast is hanging up his skates. After missing the entire 2024-25 season due to a neck injury, the Hurricanes winger announced his retirement from the NHL after 11 seasons Monday. 'I never took for granted the privilege of playing in the best league in the world,' Fast said in a statement released by the Hurricanes. 'I am grateful for all of the teammates, coaches, staff, and fans from the Rangers and Hurricanes who made my time in the NHL so special, and for my family for everything they did to help me achieve and live my dream. Advertisement Hurricanes' Jesper Fast stands on the ice in the first period of an NHL hockey game against the Arizona Coyotes, Feb. 16, 2024. AP He also thanked the Swedish development teams that spurred his NHL career. The 33-year-old sparkplug was drafted by the Rangers in 2010, making the jump stateside in 2013 after four seasons in the Elitserien. In his first North American game in April, 2013, he scored a goal in the AHL but also suffered a knee injury that ended his season. Advertisement He made his NHL debut the following season, getting a call-up after Chris Kreider's hand injury made room. Fast skated in 11 regular season games as a taste of the big leagues, adding in three playoff matches. He quickly became a Rangers mainstay thanks to his speed and wore an 'A' as an assistant captain for the 2017-18 season — a title he held until until he signed a three-year, $6 million free agent deal with Carolina in 2020. Advertisement Jesper Fast #19 of the New York Rangers scores during the first period during a game against the Tampa Bay Lightning. Anthony J. Causi / New York Post Over seven seasons with the Blueshirts, he posted 55 goals and added 92 assists en route to career totals of 703 NHL games over 11 seasons with 91 goals and 248 points. The final game of the 2023-24 season, however, would also prove to be his last. Advertisement An April 16 cross-check from behind via Blue Jackets defenseman Erik Gudbranson left him with a neck injury, resulting in surgery that caused him to miss the entire 2024-25 campaign. 'Worst-case scenario. Just when the fun is about to start, you're sitting on the sideline,' Fast told reporters after the Hurricanes' season ended in May 2024. 'You just want to help your team and be part of it, so of course it's really tough to be on the side. It was definitely one of the toughest periods in my career.'
NBC Sports
3 days ago
- Sport
- NBC Sports
Carolina Hurricanes' Jesper Fast retires after missing season with neck injury
Carolina Hurricanes forward Jesper Fast is retiring after missing this season with a neck injury sustained in the 2023-24 regular-season finale. Fast, 33, announced his decision. 'I never took for granted the privilege of playing in the best league in the world,' Fast said in a statement issued by the team. 'I am grateful for all of the teammates, coaches, staff and fans from the Rangers and Hurricanes who made my time in the NHL so special, and for my family for everything they did to help me achieve and live my dream. I'd also like to thank Nassjo HC and HV71, organizations that played a vital role in my development into an NHL player.' Fast hadn't played since April 2024 when Blue Jackets defenseman Erik Gudbranson cross-checked him from behind into the boards. Carolina was headed to the playoffs and resting numerous players in a game that had no bearing on the standings. 'That's the part that just makes you sick, to be honest with you,' coach Rod Brind'Amour said that night. 'You're just trying to get through the game without having that. I'm not sure where that's going to go.' Fast wore a neck brace when he spoke with reporters during end-of-year interviews roughly a month later. 'It's definitely one of the toughest periods of my career,' Fast said after the Hurricanes fell to the Rangers in Round 2 of the playoffs. The team announced in August that Fast had neck surgery and would miss the 2024-25 season. Fast first signed with Carolina in October 2020, then re-signed to a two-year, $4.8 million extension in July 2023. He had six postseason goals during Carolina's run to the 2023 Eastern Conference final, including an overtime winner in Game 2 of the first-round series against the New York Islanders and the series clincher against the New Jersey Devils in a five-game second-round series. Fast played 703 career regular-season games in the NHL with the Rangers and Hurricanes over 11 seasons, tallying 91 goals and 157 assists. He was a sixth-round draft pick by the Rangers in 2010.
