The 35-year-old, who was placed on long-term injured reserve, has not played in a game this season.
After surgeries on his right shoulder and both hips, it’s a lingering right hip issue that’s keeping the 35-year-old from getting back on the ice. Seabrook could remain on long-term injured reserve for the foreseeable future and not technically retire because he has three years remaining on his contract.
“After several surgeries, countless hours of rehab and training to get back on the ice at the level of my expectations, it will not be possible for me to continue playing hockey,” Seabrook said in a statement. “This is what is best for me and my family.”
“Over a three-month period from December 2019 to February 2020, Brent underwent successful surgeries on both of his hips and his right shoulder,” Blackhawks team physician Dr. Michael Terry said. “He has worked extremely hard to recover from those surgeries but has a long-term issue with his right hip that is preventing him from playing professional hockey. We have tried all available conservative treatments, and nothing has worked well enough for him to live life as an athlete.”
Seabrook was selected by the Blackhawks with the No. 14 pick in the the 2003 NHL Draft and scored 464 points (103 goals, 361 assists) in 1,114 NHL games. He scored 59 points (20 goals, 39 assists) in 123 Stanley Cup Playoff games, helping the Blackhawks win the Stanley Cup in 2010, 2013 and 2015.
He helped the Blackhawks win the Stanley Cup in 2010, 2013 and 2015. He also won a gold medal playing for Team Canada in the 2010 Winter Olympics.
“Since stepping foot into the United Center as a 20-year-old rookie and over his entire 15-year career with the Blackhawks, Brent Seabrook gave everything he had to his teammates and the city of Chicago,” Blackhawks general manager Stan Bowman said. “His determination to win, passion for the game and innate ability to lead culminated in bringing three Stanley Cups to Chicago.
“I am so proud to have played my entire 15-year National Hockey League career in Chicago with the Blackhawks,” Seabrook said. “It was an honor to play the game that I love, with teammates I love, in front of fans I love, in a city that my family and I have grown to love. After several surgeries, countless hours of rehab and training to get back on the ice at the level of my expectations, it will not be possible for me to continue playing hockey. This is what is best for me and my family.”
Seabrook last played Dec. 15, 2019. He had shoulder surgery 12 days later, had a procedure on his left hip in January 2020 and one on his right hip on Feb. 6, 2020. At the time, he was expected to need 5-6 months to recover.
“We have tried all available conservative treatments, and nothing has worked well enough for him to live life as an athlete,” team physician Dr. Michael Terry said. “We support his decision to prioritize his long-term physical health.”
Seabrook, who turns 36 on April 20, tried to return last summer when the season resumed after it was suspended because of the COVID-19 pandemic. But he decided he didn’t have enough time to reach a level where he would be comfortable playing again.
“I came here prepared to play and make an impact,” Seabrook said at the time. “I’m excited with the way it went. I’m excited with the way I felt.”
But Seabrook hurt his lower back while preparing for this season. He missed all of training camp and was placed on injured reserve.
Seabrook, who has three seasons remaining on an eight-year contract he signed Sept. 26, 2015, ranks third all time in regular-season games played with Chicago behind Duncan Keith (1,162) and Stan Mikita (1,396).
