Carl Hagelin Announces Retirement from NHL

(Credit: @62hagsofficial/Instagram) Carl Hagelin

Carl Hagelin, 35, announced his retirement from the NHL via an Instagram post on Wednesday, August 30th, citing a scary eye injury he suffered in 2022. “Unfortunately, my eye injury is too severe to keep playing the game I love,” Hagelin stated in his Instagram caption. After taking a stick to the face during a drill in practice, the forward suffered from a ruptured choroid in his left eye, altering his vision permanently. Carl Hagelin remained out of the Captials’ lineup for the entirety of the 2022-2023 season. He made attempts to rejoin the lineup, skating at practice now and again; however, hip ailments required two surgeries during the season, ending his career prematurely.

Career and achievements

Carl Hagelin spent 5 years with the Washington Capitals organization, joining the team in the 2018-2019 season as Washington was fresh off of its Stanley Cup Championship run. Before that, Hagelin spent one season each with the Los Angeles Kings and Anaheim Ducks and four seasons each with the Pittsburgh Penguins and New York Rangers. He finished his career with 296 points in 713 games played across eleven seasons in the league. Additionally, he won the Stanley Cup twice with the Pittsburgh Penguins during their back-to-back championships in 2016 and 2017.

In his own words

“It’s been an amazing ride, but it ends here,” the Swedish forward began in his Instagram caption. He reflected on how much he loved hockey and all of the memories it gave him and went on to thank his “teammates, coaches, doctors, and other staff members that [he has] met and played with throughout the years.” Finally, he thanked his family, wife, and kids for their continued support, stating, “They made it possible for me to live out my dream.” His posted photos chronicled his time throughout the sport, all the way back to his time with the University of Michigan and his little league teams. Hagelin also threw in a touch of humor by featuring a screenshot from the infamous “penalty box party,” in which six Capitals players were in the box after a line brawl against the Rangers. Carl Hagelin’s former teammates and others in the league wished him well in their comments, leaving words such as “Congrats on an amazing career, Hagge!” (Henrik Lundqvist) and “A champion forever 🏆🏆” (Pittsburgh Penguins).

I wish Carl Hagelin a fun, healthy, and relaxing retirement!


Discover more from Inside The Rink

Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.

Leave a Reply

Edmonton Oilers

Edmonton Oilers Playoff Thoughts: Round 3, Game 5

Happy belated 9th Birthday, Ben Stelter. Tuesday night’s win was for you. We’re just one win away from a second straight Finals appearance. We always wish Ben were still with us and imagine how joyful he’d be to watch the Edmonton Oilers in these Playoff runs the last couple of years. A really nice gesture […]

Read More
NHL Playoff Preview: Edmonton Oilers at Dallas Stars with Line Combinations 5/29/2025

NHL Playoff Preview: Edmonton Oilers at Dallas Stars with Line Combinations 5/29/2025

NHL Playoff Preview: Edmonton Oilers at Dallas Stars with Line Combinations 5/29/2025

Read More
Porter Martone 2025 Draft Profile

2025 NHL Draft Prospect Profile: Porter Martone

The Scouting Report: Porter Martone of Peterborough, ON, is one of the prominent players available in the 2025 NHL Draft and is projected to be a top-five selection. Martone has been in the conversation for the first overall pick at different times this season, and with 37 goals and 98 points in 57 games with […]

Read More