NHL enforcer Ryan Reaves announces retirement after 16 seasons

One of the NHL's most well-known enforcers is stepping away from the game.

After 16 seasons and 962 games, Ryan Reaves took to Instagram to announce his retirement from the NHL.

"It’s hard to put into words what you meant to me. What you mean to me," Reaves said in his instagram post.

"I had dreams of being an athlete. Football, hockey—it didn’t matter. I learned at a young age that I just wanted to lay people out. The physical part of sports was what I was always drawn to. I knew that’s what I wanted, but tell 10-year-old Reavo he was going to play in the NHL for 16 seasons? I don’t think he’d believe you."

Throughout his 16 seasons, Reaves had 65 goals, 139 points, and 1,105 PIMs, something that the 39-year-old says took a toll on him throughout his playing career.

"But unfortunately, Father Time remains undefeated. Every hit, every fight—it’s taken its final toll on me. I love this sport more than almost anything in this world. It has taken me to places I never thought I’d go and has introduced me to people I’ll cherish for the rest of my life. The fans, the haters, the ups, the downs…I wouldn’t trade it for anything."

Reaves played for seven different teams throughout his career, including the St. Louis Blues, Pittsburgh Penguins, Vegas Golden Knights, New York Rangers, Minnesota Wild, Toronto Maple Leafs, and San Jose Sharks .

His best season came in 2018-19 when he put up nine goals and 20 points for the Golden Knights.

Reaves signed off with a message that perfectly summed up the role he played throughout his 16 NHL seasons.

"I may not be on the ice anymore, but I know I will always be close to hockey in one way or another. You can rest easy knowing the corners are a little safer today."