Story Summary
The 39-year-old forward finished last season with three goals in 50 games for the San Jose Sharks. Over his career Reaves compiled 140 points (66 goals, 74 assists) in 962 regular-season games for seven NHL clubs – the St. Louis Blues, Pittsburgh Penguins, Vegas Golden Knights, New York Rangers, Minnesota Wild, Toronto Maple Leafs and San Jose Sharks – and nine points (three goals, six assists) in 113 Stanley Cup Playoff games. Selected by the St. Louis Blues in the fifth round (No. 156) of the 2005 NHL Draft, Reaves spent seven of his 16 seasons with St. Louis (419 games). He reflected on a career defined by its physical edge, writing that ” every hit, every fight, it’s taken its final toll on me,” and closed his post with, ” Mic drop, gloves drop. Reavo out.”
Key Facts
- Reaves played 16 NHL seasons and 962 regular-season games.
- He is 39 years old.
- Last season he scored three goals in 50 games for the San Jose Sharks.
- Career totals: 140 points (66 goals, 74 assists) in 962 regular-season games.
- Playoff totals: nine points (three goals, six assists) in 113 Stanley Cup Playoff games.
- Drafted by the St. Louis Blues in the fifth round (No. 156) of the 2005 NHL Draft.
- He played for seven NHL teams: Blues, Penguins, Golden Knights, Rangers, Wild, Maple Leafs and Sharks.
- Reaves spent seven seasons with the St. Louis Blues, accounting for 419 games.
- In 2018 he had two goals in 10 playoff games, including the tiebreaking goal in Game 5 of the Western Conference Final against the Winnipeg Jets; the Vegas Golden Knights lost to the Washington Capitals in five games in the Stanley Cup Final that year.
- In his retirement message he wrote that ‘Father Time remains undefeated’ and said he will remain close to hockey in one way or another.
IHM Discussion
Ryan Reaves’s retirement closes the book on a career defined by physicality and longevity. A fifth-round pick, he reached 962 regular-season appearances across 16 NHL seasons and seven teams. His 140 career points and nine playoff points provide part of the statistical record, while his own farewell made clear how central the physical side of hockey was to his identity.
Reaves wrote that “every hit, every fight, it’s taken its final toll on me”, a candid reflection on the demands of his style of play. His 2018 run with Vegas also included two goals in 10 playoff games, including the tiebreaking goal in Game 5 of the Western Conference Final against Winnipeg.
He leaves the ice having said he intends to remain close to hockey in some form, though he did not specify what comes next.
Why It Matters
Reaves’s retirement marks the departure of a player whose NHL career was closely associated with the game’s physical dimension. His 16 seasons and 962 regular-season games underline the longevity required to remain in the League over such a long period.
His farewell also acknowledged both the rewards and the physical cost of that career. For supporters who followed him across seven NHL teams, it provides a clear closing point to a distinctive professional journey.
Mini Q&A
How many NHL seasons and regular-season games did Ryan Reaves play?
He played 16 NHL seasons and 962 regular-season games.
What were his career regular-season point totals?
Reaves had 140 career points, with 66 goals and 74 assists.
Which teams did he play for?
He played for the St. Louis Blues, Pittsburgh Penguins, Vegas Golden Knights, New York Rangers, Minnesota Wild, Toronto Maple Leafs and San Jose Sharks.
Was he part of the Golden Knights’ 2018 run to the Stanley Cup Final?
Yes. In 2018 he had two goals in 10 playoff games, including the tiebreaking goal in Game 5 of the Western Conference Final against the Winnipeg Jets; the Golden Knights went on to lose to the Washington Capitals in five games in the Stanley Cup Final.
How old is Ryan Reaves?
He is 39 years old.
Coach Mark Comment
Reaves’s longevity shows the value of having a clearly defined identity and sustaining it over time. Physical players still need to manage shifts, stay disciplined and contribute within the team structure; lasting 16 seasons requires more than a willingness to engage.
IHM Final View
Ryan Reaves retires as one of the more recognisable physical forwards of his era. His 140 points in 962 regular-season games tell only part of a career shaped by a committed, unmistakable style and by the durability to maintain it for 16 NHL seasons.
His retirement message directly acknowledged the wear of that game while celebrating the journey it gave him. His NHL career closes with seven teams, a 2018 Stanley Cup Final appearance with Vegas and a farewell delivered in his own words.