End of an Era: Alex Pietrangelo Steps Aside to Focus on Health

On Monday, the Vegas Golden Knights announced that defenseman Alex Pietrangelo would step aside from hockey to prioritize his health.

“The past few years have been very challenging on my physical well-being, and I am in a difficult position with my overall playing health,” wrote Pietrangelo. “After exploring options with doctors as well as my family, it’s been advised to remove the intensity of hockey to see if my body can improve so that I can return to a normal quality of life. This decision has been difficult to come to terms with after the last 17 years of competition and the camaraderie with my teammates and coaches.”

Pietrangelo didn’t officially use the word ‘retired’ but acknowledged that a return was highly improbable. 

“The likelihood is low that my body will recover to the standard required to play,” he wrote. “But I know this is the right decision for me and my family.”

During the season, Pietrangelo withdrew from the 4 Nations Face-Off Tournament, hoping that the rest would bode well for his recovery. 

Unfortunately, the hockey gods aren’t always kind or just.

In a social media post, the Golden Knights revealed the nature of Pietrangelo’s injury.

“Alex is dealing with hips that would require bilateral femur reconstruction, with no guarantee of success,” wrote GM Kelly McCrimmon.

Over a 17-year career, Pietrangelo played 1087 regular season games as well as 149 in the playoffs. He recorded 148 goals and 637 regular season points, as well as 15 goals and 80 points in the postseason. Pietrangelo won two Stanley Cups– one with the St. Louis Blues in 2019 and one with the Golden Knights in 2023.

Although he never won a Norris Trophy, Pietrangelo was one of the best defensemen of this generation. He’s not a first-ballot Hall of Famer, but he should one day undoubtedly receive the call. Elliotte Friedman echoed those sentiments on Friday’s episode of the 32 Thoughts Podcast.

“[Regarding] Alex Pietrangelo, [the Golden Knights] have some decisions to make,” said Friedman. “And Pietrangelo, as I’ve said several times, is one of my favorite players, going to the Hall of Fame.”

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