SAN JOSE—Former San Jose Sharks captain and Dallas Stars forward Joe Pavelski on Monday released a heartfelt letter of appreciation to his family, former teammates, and both teams’ fan bases as he closed the book on a remarkable 18-year playing career.
Pavelski, who turned 40 earlier this month, said last week that he was ending a career that saw him play 1,533 games between the regular season and playoffs, all after the Sharks drafted him 205th overall in 2003.
Pavelski made his NHL debut with the Sharks in Nov. 2006 and just finished his fifth and final season with the Stars, who lost in the Western Conference final to the Edmonton Oilers. Between the regular season and playoffs, Pavelski had a combined 1,211 points, which ranks 68th all-time.
“For the last 18 years, I have felt like one of the lucky ones,” Pavelski said in his retirement letter shared on the Stars’ account on X/Twitter. “I was able to make my childhood dream come true playing in the NHL with two great franchises, first with San Jose, and then with Dallas, surrounded by some of the best people the hockey world has to offer.
“My time in those cities allowed me to build deep connections with both fan bases, and that connection gave me the added fuel I needed to live up to the expectations I had set for myself.”
Pavelski pointed to two playoff moments in his career, one with each team, as his favorites.
On April 23, 2019, midway through the third period of Game 7 of the Sharks’ first-round playoff series against the Vegas Golden Knights, Pavelski was cross-checked by Cody Eakin after an offensive zone faceoff. He landed helmet-first on the ice, causing a concussion and a cut to the side of his head.
Pavelski was knocked out of the game, and Eakin received a five-minute major for cross-checking and a game misconduct. The Sharks scored four times on the ensuing five-minute power play to erase a three-goal deficit and would later win 5-4 in overtime on a goal by Barclay Goodrow to advance to the second round.
After a two-week absence, Pavelski made his dramatic return to the Sharks’ lineup in Game 7 of that second-round playoff series against the Colorado Avalanche.
The Shark Tank erupted when it was announced Pavelski’s line would take the opening faceoff and got even louder when Pavelski scored at the 5:57 mark of the first period, redirecting a shot from Brent Burns past Philipp Grubauer for a 1-0 Sharks lead. Pavelski then assisted on Tomas Hertl’s goal at the 11:35 mark for a two-goal San Jose advantage.
Pavelski said he remembers “seeing (Joe Thronton’s) face as I skated back to the bench and his genuine excitement boiling over is something that is etched in my brain to this day.”
Little Joe. Big Pavelski. Captain America. Pavs.
These are moments we’ll remember forever. THANK YOU AND CONGRATS! pic.twitter.com/NmeIlAbLm0
— San Jose Sharks (@SanJoseSharks) July 22, 2024
On April 17, 2023, while with Dallas, Pavelski was injured after a heavy hit from then-Minnesota defenseman Matt Dumba in Game 1 of that first-round series at American Airlines Center. Pavelski’s head hit the ice after the big collision behind the Wild net.
Pavelski missed the rest of that series, which the Stars won in six games, and didn’t play again until May 2 in Game 1 of Dallas’ second-round series against the Seattle Kraken. Pavelski scored four goals in that game, all at even strength, before Yanni Gourde scored in overtime to give Seattle a 5-4 win.
Dallas would still win the series in seven games, with Pavelski adding four more goals and an assist.
“Hearing the roar of the crowd that night at the American Airlines Center is something I will always remember,” Pavelski said of his Game 1 return. “It was moments like this that deepened my understanding of what the hockey fan and player are all about, thriving on the miraculous and unlikely stories like these that keep us coming back for more.
“I’ll always hold on to the kindness and passion I received from my fans and teammates, especially during that process of missing playoff games and working my way back. There was nothing more important to me than playing in the playoffs. I cherished every single chance I got to chase a championship, and it made coming to the rink every day exciting and extremely motivating. The love and support I felt from you all got me through challenging times and helped create those big moments, and these are now experiences that we cherish and share together.”
Joe Pavelski’s full retirement letter: pic.twitter.com/aAcXKeJb1B
— Dallas Stars (@DallasStars) July 22, 2024