Brian Campbell announced today that he was retiring from the NHL. Campbell, 38, played 17 years in the NHL in which he played in 1082 games, and accumulated 504 points (87G, 417A).
Campbell was a gem in the rough being selected in the 6th round of the 1997 NHL Entry Draft by the Buffalo Sabres. He spent 8 years in Buffalo before being traded to the San Jose Sharks at the trade deadline. At season's end, Campbell hit the jackpot in free agency as the Chicago Blackhawks gave him an 8-yr, $57.143mil contract in 2008.
Campbell was part of the 2009-10 Blackhawks team that captured their first Stanley Cup in 49 years. Campbell assisted on the game-winning overtime goal scored by Patrick Kane.
After the 2010-11 season, Campbell was traded to the Florida Panthers, where he spent the remaining 5 years of his contract. During that time, Campbell snapped a 58-year drought for a defensemen capturing the Lady Byng Trophy after the 2011-12 season. He joined just two other defensemen, Red Kelly (1950-51, 1952-53, 1953-54) and Bill Quackenbush (1948-49), to win the award presented for best sportsmanship.
Campbell returned to the Blackhawks last year at a greatly reduced discount to try to return the Stanley Cup to Chicago, but those dreams died quickly as they were swept by the eighth-seeded, Nashville Predators. He still calls Chicago home, which was a big reason for his return.
It is a big reason why Campbell will stay involved with the Blackhawks, as he will join the front office, in the business operations department. He will assist with marketing, community relations, and youth hockey.
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