Yandle retiring after 16 seasons

Keith Yandle, who broke the NHL's consecutive games played record in January, says he's calling it a career.

The longtime defenseman announced his plans to hang up his skates on Tuesday's episode of the "Spittin' Chiclets" podcast.

"I'm shutting it down, I'm retiring from the game of hockey," Yandle said.

He added: "I'm really at ease with (the decision), and I'm looking forward to the next chapter, for sure."

Yandle broke Doug Jarvis' ironman record by suiting up for his 965th straight contest on Jan. 25. His streak ended at 989 contests on April 2 when he was a healthy scratch. Yandle's run stretched from March 26, 2009, to March 29, 2022.

The Boston-born blue-liner played his final season with the Philadelphia Flyers. He previously spent five campaigns with the Florida Panthers, parts of two seasons with the New York Rangers, and nine seasons with the Arizona Coyotes, who were known as the Phoenix Coyotes for his first eight campaigns.

Yandle was one of the best defensemen in the NHL during his prime and continued to produce late in his career. The veteran amassed a career-high 62 points in 2018-19 and collected at least 50 points in four other campaigns. He retires with 103 goals and 516 assists over 1,109 games.

Yandle played 16 NHL seasons after the Coyotes drafted him 105th overall in 2005. He turned 36 on Sept. 9.

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