Canadian Olympic gold medalist Chris Kunitz of Regina, Saskatchewan retired from the National Hockey League at age 39 on Tuesday. Kunitz, who was undrafted, won a gold medal for Canada in men’s hockey at the 2014 Olympic Winter Games in Sochi.
Kunitz played 15 seasons in the National Hockey League with the Pittsburgh Penguins, Atlanta Thrashers, Anaheim Ducks, Tampa Bay Lightning and Chicago Blackhawks. This past season with the Blackhawks, he had five goals and five assists for 10 points in 56 games. He was a -7 with 23 penalty minutes, one game winning goal, 44 shots on goal, two faceoff wins, 15 blocked shots, 85 hits, 13 takeaways and 18 giveaways.
Kunitz’s finest season came in 2013-14 with the Penguins, the year he was selected to the Canadian Olympic team. He set career highs in goals (35) and points (68).
A left winger, Kunitz had 268 career goals and 351 assists for 619 points. He also had the opportunity to win four Stanley Cups–three with the Penguins in 2009, 2016 and 2017, and one with the Ducks in 2007. Kunitz was also a first team NHL All-Star in 2013.
On Wednesday, the Blackhawks named Kunitz as a player development advisor. He is also expected to be part of the coaching staff of the Blackhawks’ American Hockey League affiliate, the Rockford IceHogs.
