[Report] Former Canucks D Matt Irwin announces retirement

[RWJC]

Matt Irwin Announces Retirement

 

November 14th, 2024 at 9:39am CST • By Josh Erickson

 

Unrestricted free agent defenseman Matt Irwin is stepping away from the game, the NHLPA announced. He confirms his retirement after 10 NHL seasons and 461 appearances.

 

“As I reflect on my career, I can’t help but feel incredibly grateful and fortunate to have lived out my childhood dream of playing in the NHL,” Irwin said in a statement released by the players’ association. “My success would not have been possible without the support of my family, my in-laws and especially my wife, Chantel, and two kids, Beckem and Lennon. You all pushed me to be the best version of myself on and off the ice.”

 

“I’m fortunate to have been surrounded by the best group of teammates that I could have possibly asked for,” Irwin continued. “Each and every one of them made coming to the rink the best years of my life. I hope our paths cross somewhere down the road.”

 

Now 36, Irwin never played major junior hockey and instead jumped straight from the junior ‘A’ BCHL to NCAA hockey with UMass. The left-shot defender spent two seasons there before signing as an undrafted free agent with the Sharks in 2010, kicking off his professional career.
 

Irwin spent two full seasons with San Jose’s AHL affiliate, then in Worcester, Massachusetts, before receiving his first NHL recall in 2012-13. He appeared in 38 of 48 games for the Sharks during the lockout-shortened season, recording 12 points and a -1 rating while averaging 19:06 per game and finishing 19th in Calder Trophy voting. Irwin also played in all 11 of San Jose’s playoff games as he got an audition in top-pairing minutes at even strength alongside Dan Boyle.

 

The Victoria, British Columbia native managed to stick around as a full-time NHLer for the following two seasons in the Bay Area but steadily saw his minutes reduced. After a 2014-15 campaign that saw him record a career-high eight goals, Irwin became an unrestricted free agent and signed with the Bruins.

 

However, Irwin only made two NHL appearances in a Boston sweater, instead spending nearly all of the 2015-16 season on assignment to AHL Providence. Understandably, he was one-and-done with the Bruins, and landed a deal with the Predators in free agency the following offseason.

 

It was the right choice for Irwin, who ended up playing 195 games in parts of four seasons in Nashville – the most of the six NHL franchises he appeared for. Aside from four appearances for AHL Milwaukee in 2016-17, Irwin managed to avoid being sent to the minors for the next seven years, sticking around in bottom-pairing/press box roles for the Predators, Ducks, Sabres, and Capitals.

 

Irwin’s last NHL games came with Washington in 2022-23. He recorded five points, a -8 rating and 36 PIMs in 61 games along with 75 blocks and 117 hits. He signed a two-way contract with the Canucks for 2023-24 but didn’t make the team, instead spending all of 2023-24 on assignment to AHL Abbotsford, where he recorded 16 points (5 G, 11 A) and a +2 rating in 65 games while serving as an alternate captain.

 

Irwin closes the book on his NHL career with 25 goals, 68 assists, 93 points, and a -9 rating in 461 games. He also logged 211 PIMs, 725 shots and a respectable 50.6 CF% at even strength while averaging 15:26 per game. He also appeared in 47 playoff games for the Sharks and Preds in 2013, 2014, 2017, and 2018, most notably playing in all 22 postseason contests as Nashville advanced to the only Stanley Cup Final in franchise history in 2017.

 

Irwin also logged 314 AHL appearances in parts of seven minor-league seasons, totaling 32 goals and 103 assists for 135 points.

 

https://www.prohockeyrumors.com/2024/11/matt-irwin-announces-retirement.html#ref=home

[ABNuck]

Not 100% sure that players like Irwin need to announce their retirement. He was a UFA this season, nobody had him on their radar...basically the same as about 400 other players that once played in the NHL. Yes, almost playing 500 games is certainly an accomplishment, but honestly, how many of us said "oh, I didn't know he still played or that he hadn't already retired"? Anyways, maybe I'm just in a bitchy mood today. Whatever.

[VegasCanuck]

How long until he gets that call from Hall of Fame?

 

 

 

[Kevin Biestra]

5 hours ago, ABNuck said:

Not 100% sure that players like Irwin need to announce their retirement. He was a UFA this season, nobody had him on their radar...basically the same as about 400 other players that once played in the NHL. Yes, almost playing 500 games is certainly an accomplishment, but honestly, how many of us said "oh, I didn't know he still played or that he hadn't already retired"? Anyways, maybe I'm just in a bitchy mood today. Whatever.

 

I was kind of like Matt who?  But if you suit up for part of 10 seasons and get to 400 games, I would say you have earned the right to announce your retirement without embarrassment.  Our first ever 40 goal scorer Ron Sedlbauer only played 430 career games.

 

Also the news was released by the NHLPA, not a press conference by Irwin.  I think the NHLPA thing is pretty much a modest half measure for guys who aren't comfortable treating their retirement like big news but also don't want people left wondering.

 

Even Rocket Richard Trophy winner Jonathan Cheechoo only played 501 games.  I don't know if I've ever seen anyone else go off a cliff like that.  I guess Gary Leeman was a little more precipitous, but not quite from so great a height.

 

 

 

Edited November 15 by Kevin Biestra

[Snoop Hogg]

Solid career given he was undrafted. 

[RWJC]

1 minute ago, Snoop Hogg said:

Solid career given he was undrafted. 

 

26 minutes ago, Kevin Biestra said:

 

I was kind of like Matt who?  But if you suit up for part of 10 seasons and get to 400 games, I would say you have earned the right to announce your retirement without embarrassment.  Our first ever 40 goal scorer Ron Sedlbauer only played 430 career games.

 

Also the news was released by the NHLPA, not a press conference by Irwin.  I think the NHLPA thing is pretty much a modest half measure for guys who aren't comfortable treating their retirement like big news but also don't want people left wondering.

 

 

and is a local boy whom many likely followed with interest on his journey/career. 461 games is an accomplishment. 

[Harvey Specter]

4 hours ago, RWJC said:

Irwin’s last NHL games came with Washington in 2022-23. He recorded five points, a -8 rating and 36 PIMs in 61 games along with 75 blocks and 117 hits. He signed a two-way contract with the Canucks for 2023-24 but didn’t make the team, instead spending all of 2023-24 on assignment to AHL Abbotsford, where he recorded 16 points (5 G, 11 A) and a +2 rating in 65 games while serving as an alternate captain.

 

A little love for our former Abby Canuck alternate captain - the first time in his pro career to wear a letter (in regular season and postseason games):

 

[Kevin Biestra]

24 minutes ago, Harvey Specter said:

 

A little love for our former Abby Canuck alternate captain - the first time in his pro career to wear a letter (in regular season and postseason games):

 

 

He actually looks like Johnny Canuck.

[JeremyCuddles]

Undrafted and played 461 NHL games and 47 playoff games, pretty great career considering. That's what hard work will get you.

[Kevin Biestra]

1 hour ago, JeremyCuddles said:

Undrafted and played 461 NHL games and 47 playoff games, pretty great career considering. That's what hard work will get you.

 

 

The Canuck greats pre-Linden era had a real pattern of their bodies breaking down before 30.  Some of our all time greats never got to 600 career games.  Rick Lanz, Dennis Ververgaert, Jocelyn Guevremont, Chris Oddleifson, John Gould, Rick Blight.  Even Kevin McCarthy and Petri Skriko...

 

I think our only homegrown guy before Linden that got to a thousand games might have been Harold Snepsts.  Otherwise we were generally trading for super-veterans and bringing them in late in their career like Pit Martin, Mel Bridgman, Charlie Hodge, Ivan Boldirev, Cesare Maniago, Al MacAdam, Peter McNab etc.

 

Edited November 14 by Kevin Biestra

[Ballisticsports]

.... What a great great Guy 

 

 

[RWJC]

26 minutes ago, Ballisticsports said:

.... What a great great Guy 

 

 

haha totally remember the jingle!

thanks! forgot about it and a stupid but beloved memory…when I was really young, my friends and I used to insult each other by calling each other “dick earwigs” because of this commercial.