After 407 goals, 408 assists, and 1,035 games, the Minnesota Wild's first-ever draft choice, Marian Gaborik, has retired from the National Hockey League.
Still the franchise leader for goals scored in the regular season, the fan-favorite Gaborik announced via social media that he was walking away from the NHL after being a free agent the last three seasons.
"It's been a great honour and privilege to play in the best league in the world [NHL] since I was 18 years old," Gaborik said in an Instagram post. "The journey has been nothing short from spectacular, amazing, and unbelievable. Many times it's been a roller coaster, but I always found the way back."
In 2000, the new franchise selected the Slovakian with the third overall pick in the NHL rookie draft. He played eight seasons with the Wild, whom he thanked in his retirement statement.
"I'd like to thank the [Minnesota Wild] for drafting me and giving me a chance for my dream to come true to play in NHL," Gaborik said. "To my teammates, coaches, and fans helping me mature on and off the ice."
Gaborik signed with the Ragers as a free agent prior to the 2009-10 season and spent four seasons on Broadway, scoring 114 goals and 115 assists before being dealt to Columbus during the 2012-13 season.
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He spent the rest of that season and most of the next in Columbus before being traded to the Los Angeles Kings in March 2014 and going on to help the Kings win the Stanley Cup over his former team in New York.
Gaborik re-signed in L.A. and played there for 3 1/2 more seasons before being dealt to Ottawa in February 2018. He underwent back surgery that April and did not play again, although he was dealt from Ottawa to Tampa Bay in December 2020 in a salary cap management move.