Saying "it's time" and in need of another heart procedure, goaltender Henrik Lundqvist has announced his retirement, ending a legendary 15-year NHL career.
"For the last 30 years, I have devoted my life to the game of hockey ... and now it's time to walk away from the game I love and begin a new chapter," Lundqvist wrote in a statement on Twitter on Friday. "The future excites me. I've met so many amazing people over the years that will help to guide and inspire me in my new journey."
— Henrik Lundqvist (@hlundqvist35) August 20, 2021
Lundqvist, 39, was the face of the Rangers -- and one of the most popular athletes in New York City -- for over a decade. The team announced that it will retire Lundqvist's No. 30, with a ceremony set during the 2021-22 season.
"It is with mixed emotions that the New York Rangers offer our best wishes and heartfelt gratitude to Henrik Lundqvist on the announcement of his retirement," the team said in a statement. "Henrik's commitment to excellence made him one of the best goaltenders to ever play the game of hockey, and we are so fortunate to have witnessed his greatness firsthand for 15 years. ... Henrik is, and always will be, a Ranger."
With the Rangers, Lundqvist was a five-time All-Star and won the Vezina Trophy as the league's top goalie in 2011-12. After his run with the Rangers, Lundqvist signed a one-year deal with the Washington Capitals for 2020-21 but never played for the team after undergoing open-heart surgery in January.
Lundqvist told the New York Post that he had planned to play in the NHL in 2021-22 but would suffer chest pain with too much exertion during workouts.
"I was hoping I would be 100% by this time," Lundqvist told the Post. "But I was told that inflammation takes a long time to correct and with medication I might be out of the woods, but it could be another full year before I would be 100%. ... I came to the conclusion that there are too many unknowns and too much risk for not enough reward for me to keep playing."
Lundqvist also told the Goteborgs-Posten newspaper that he needs another heart procedure.
"We will see how extensive it will be," he said. "Treatments are getting better, so we will see if they'll open up the chest or not. But that will be problem for the future."
Lundqvist retires with a record of 459-310-96 in 887 career NHL games, with a save percentage of .918, a 2.43 goals-against average and 64 shutouts. He is the Rangers' franchise leader in all those categories.
"Thank you @nyrangers and New York City," Lundqvist wrote. "I'm a born Swede but I'll always feel like a New Yorker thanks to you. Thank you @NHL. This league was everything I dreamed of and more. Lastly, thank you to the game of hockey and its fans! You gave my life purpose and I have loved every single minute of it!"
Lundqvist ranks sixth in NHL history in wins, seventh in saves (23,509), eighth in games played (887), ninth in starts (871), ninth in time on ice (51,816:51) and 17th in shutouts, according to the NHL. He played in 130 postseason games but never lifted the Stanley Cup, coming closest in 2014 when the Rangers lost in the Final to the Los Angeles Kings.
He also helped Sweden win gold at the 2006 Turin Olympics and set an Olympic record for longest shutout streak (172:34) between the 2006 and 2010 Games.
Information from ESPN's Emily Kaplan and The Associated Press was used in this report.