Arguably the best free agent signed in Chicago Blackhawks history, Marian Hossa surprised many Hawks fans and players when he showed up at the United Center on April 3 for the ceremony honoring Jonathan Toews’s 1,000th NHL game that occurred two days prior.
It was announced on April 5, 2022 that Marian Hossa will sign a one-day contract with the Chicago Blackhawks on Thursday, April 7 to officially retire as a Chicago Blackhawk. This will take place shortly before the Blackhawks take on the Seattle Kraken.
Hossa is quoted saying, “The Blackhawks and city of Chicago hold a special place in my heart. Making the commitment to this organization in 2009 was the best decision I ever made”. He continues, “Retiring as a Blackhawk is a dream come true, and I couldn’t imagine officially ending my career in any other way”.
Marian Hossa will sign a one-day contract to retire as a Chicago Blackhawk.
The Chicago Blackhawks signed Marian Hossa as a free agent on July 1, 2009. He played 534 games in a Blackhawks sweater and totaled 186 goals, 229 assists, and 415 points.
Throughout his entire illustrious NHL career, Hossa also played for the Ottawa Senators, the Atlanta Thrashers, the Pittsburgh Penguins, and the Detroit Red Wings.
In all, Hossa played 1,309 games, notching 525 goals and 629 assists, totaling 1,134 points. Hossa was a first-ballot Hall of Fame inductee in 2020, a three-time Stanley Cup champion with Chicago, and a five-time NHL All-Star.
Hossa played a crucial role in all three of the Blackhawks Stanley Cup runs from 2010 to 2015. He played in 107 playoff games for Chicago, getting 21 goals and 52 assists (73 points).
Having Marian Hossa retire as a Chicago Blackhawk seems extremely fitting, and I would be willing to bet that we see a big number 81 Hossa banner hanging from the United Center rafters in the very near future.