Former New York Rangers forward Jesper Fast has announced his retirement from the NHL.
“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 was selected by the Rangers in the sixth round of the 2010 NHL draft and played seven seasons with the Blueshirts from 2013 to 2020 before signing a two-year $4.8 million contract with the Carolina Hurricanes where he spent the remainder of his career.
Through his time with the Rangers, Fast recorded 55 goals, 92 assists, and 147 points in 422 games.
The veteran forward suffered a devastating neck injury toward the tail end of the 2023-24 campaign which kept him out for the entirety of the next season and has not played in a professional hockey game since.
While Fast said he was hopeful of eventually making a return, the neck injury has forced him to retire at 33 years old.
