Billy Guerin today announced his retirement as an NHL player – and, symbolically, he is retiring as a Pittsburgh Penguin.
Guerin, 40, played 18 NHL seasons for eight teams, recording 429 goals and 427 assists for 856 points and winning two Stanley Cups.
The 6-foot-2, 220-pound right winger played 95 games with the Penguins over the final two seasons of his career and was an essential part of the team’s 2009 Stanley Cup championship after being acquired at the March trading deadline.
“We were only here a short time but my family and I developed such a deep connection to the city, the team and the fans,” Guerin said. “It was amazing. From ownership and Ray Shero to the coaching staff and trainers, from my teammates to the arena workers to the people in the stands, they all treated us in such a first-class manner. It was an extremely positive experience. We all agree that retiring as a Pittsburgh Penguin is the perfect thing to do.”
Guerin also played for the New Jersey Devils, Edmonton Oilers, Boston Bruins, Dallas Stars, St. Louis Blues, San Jose Sharks and New York Islanders in a career that spanned from 1991-92 through 2009-10. He broke in with the Devils and won a Stanley Cup there in 1995.
During the 2009 Cup playoff run, Guerin played right wing with Sidney Crosby and delivered seven goals and 15 points in 24 games, including an overtime game-winner against the Philadelphia Flyers. In 2009-10, his final NHL regular season, he had 21 goals and 24 assists for 45 points in 79 games for the Penguins.
A native of Wilbraham, MA, Guerin also represented the U.S. in the Olympics in 1998, 2002 and 2006 and played in two World Cups.
The Penguins will honor Guerin in a special on-ice ceremony before tonight’s game.