Devils Captain Bryce Salvador Announces Retirement

Bryce Salvador (NHL.com)

New Jersey Devils captain Bryce Salvador announced his retirement on Wednesday.

Salvador, a sixth round pick of the Tampa Bay Lightning in 1994 made his National Hockey League debut with the St Louis Blues during the 2000-2001 season. In 786 NHL games Salvador has scored 24 goals and 86 assists with the Blues and the Devils.

The Devils captain since 2013 missed the final 67 games last season with a bulging disc and nerve damage in his lower back.

In making the announcement, Salvador said “In respect to the organization and my teammates, it was the best move.” He added, “When I look back at my career and all the different things I had to overcome, I have no regrets. It was great.”

The Devils said in a press release that Salvador will remain with the organization to focus on assisting the Devils rink partners help the sport grow.

Devils General Manager, Ray Shero said, “Bryce Salvador is a first class individual who exemplified leadership both on and off the ice. His selection as captain the last three seasons was most appropriate, as he was well respected by his teammates.”

Shero added, “On behalf of the entire organization, I wish Bryce and his family well, and look forward to working with him in his new role.”

Salvador was honored to have his teammates respect that much that they selected him as their captain saying, “It was an extreme honor. You can’t put words to it. To be a captain for this organization was a dream come true.”

In a statement the NHL Players Association released, Salvador said, “I would like to thank my wife, April, for her unconditional and ongoing support and love. I’m blessed and so thankful that my two sons, Pierson and Hudson, were able to see and remember me play as I thought my career was over when I missed the entire 2010-2011 season due to injury.”

He added, “To my parents, and my extended family, as well as Bonnie and Gerald, thank you for all your love and support.” Salvador also thanked Lou Lamoriello and Larry Pleau, the former general managers of the Devils and Blues, as well his junior team the Lethbridge Hurricanes and General Manager, Bob Bartlett for giving him the opportunity to play hockey.

Following the injury ridden season, he returned for the 2011-2012 to help the Devils reach the Stanley Cup Finals. His plus 18 rating that season was a career high. In the 24 post season games he scored four goals and fourteen points.

Thoughout his career he has been a respected leader while contributing as a strong and steady defenseman. He helped his teams reach the post season in eight of his thirteen seasons. Over the past four years he was the Devils representative in the NHLPA.

In addition to announcing his retirement, Salvador shared his story of what he’s been going through the past few seasons, on Derek Jeter’s site, The Player’s Tribune. A link to the article Salvador shared can be found at https://www.theplayerstribune.com/bryce-salvador-devils-retirement/.