Pittsburgh Penguins forward Jeff Carter is retiring after 19 seasons in the league, and his send-off Wednesday night was something to remember.
He had a goal in a 5-4 loss to the Islanders in New York, and the home team even invited him to take a victory lap.
Afterward he was asked what he's going to do.
A classy move for a classy guy. pic.twitter.com/6OdoBgH2dc
— Pittsburgh Penguins (@penguins) April 18, 2024
"I'm going to be a dad," 39-year-old Carter said. "You miss a lot being a hockey player -- you're in and out in a way. ... My family sacrificed a lot for me to live out my dream. I'm going to be home and be a dad and then figure it out from there."
Carter scored a goal at 10:56 of the third period to tie Wednesday's game at 4-4.
"That was really nice. When [coach Mike Sullivan] put me out there, I knew I wasn't leaving the net," Carter said. "... Pretty special moment to get one there at the end. Something I'll remember, for sure."
Carter scored more than 20 goals in a season 11 times, including a career-high 46 for Philadelphia in 2008-09. But he really made a name for himself in Los Angeles, winning two Stanley Cups and cementing a reputation as a clutch playoff performer. He scored 18 goals over the Kings' two Stanley Cup runs.
He finishes his career with 442 goals and 851 points.
In addition to Carter's victory lap in New York, the Penguins had him take the opening faceoff, a task usually reserved for Sidney Crosby. But it was Carter's night.
Information from Field Level Media was used in this report.
