Ryan Spooner announces retirement from professional hockey

Former NHL forward Ryan Spooner has announced his retirement from professional hockey. The 34-year-old Ottawa native is leaving his current club, HK Dukla Trencin in the Slovak Extraliga, after appearing in only five games this season.

Spooner cited a desire to return home to Canada to be closer to his family as the primary reason for his decision. He expressed gratitude to the fans and teammates in Trencin, noting that while the decision was difficult, he felt it was the right one.

Throughout his NHL career, Spooner played 325 games, recording 48 goals and 119 assists for a total of 167 points. His tenure in North America included stints with the Boston Bruins, New York Rangers, Edmonton Oilers, and Vancouver Canucks. Following his time in the NHL, he spent several years playing in Europe, primarily in the Kontinental Hockey League (KHL).