Wayne Simmonds has announced his retirement from the NHL after 15 seasons, the Philadelphia Flyers said Monday.
Simmonds will sign a one-day contract with the club on April 13 when the Flyers plan to honour his career before their home game against the New Jersey Devils.
The 35-year-old from Scarborough, Ont., was not re-signed by the Toronto Maple Leafs after last season and told the Canadian Press in January that his career was done.
“It’s hard to describe my emotions on a day like this, but one of my very first thoughts as I look back is my life in Philadelphia and playing for the Flyers,” Simmonds said in the release. “Taking the ice in a Flyers sweater is a special feeling and it’s one that I’m truly proud of. The history of this franchise and standard of being a Flyer that was set is unique and one that I hold in the highest regard.
“Perhaps the biggest reason for that is the way the fans embrace this team. It was a thrill to play for you all these years, and you mean so much to me. I’d like to thank Dan Hilferty, Keith Jones and Danny Brière for making this a special day and the fans for all their support throughout the years for me and my family.”
Simmonds was drafted in the second round, 57th overall, by the Los Angeles Kings in 2007. After suiting up for three seasons with the Kings, he was traded to the Flyers along with Brayden Schenn and a second-round pick for Mike Richards and Rob Bordson on June 23, 2011.
Simmonds had his best offensive seasons during his eight-year run with the Flyers registering 60 points during the 2013-14 and 2015-16 campaigns while also hitting the 50-point plateau on two other occasions.
After stops with the Nashville Predators, New Jersey Devils and Buffalo Sabres, Simmonds signed with the Maple Leafs in 2020 and spent the final three seasons of his NHL career with his hometown club.
Simmonds played in 1,037 games registering 526 points (263 goals and 263 assists) and 1,313 penalty minutes.
“It is a privilege to congratulate Wayne on his retirement from the NHL and I look forward to celebrating his career on April 13 with our great fans,” Flyers general manager Daniel Brière said in a statement. “He was an excellent teammate, a leader in the locker room and a class act for the Philadelphia community. He had such passion for this city and team that it was an honor to witness it all and play alongside him. I wish him all the happiness and success to him and his family as he embarks on this new chapter.”
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