Matt Nieto announces retirement from NHL after 12 seasons

American forward Matt Nieto has announced his retirement from the National Hockey League (NHL) at the age of 33. The decision follows a career spanning 12 seasons and 705 games played.

Nieto cited persistent physical challenges as the primary reason for his departure. He noted that injuries during the 2023-24 and 2024-25 seasons, as well as missing the entire 2025-26 campaign, made it difficult to compete at the highest level. In a statement shared on Instagram, Nieto said, “I’m not stepping away because I stopped loving hockey. I’m stepping away because I loved it enough to give it everything I had.”

Originally a second-round draft pick by the San Jose Sharks in 2011, Nieto also played for the Colorado Avalanche and the Pittsburgh Penguins. His career included two gold medals with the United States at the U18 World Championships in 2009 and 2010.