Coburn announces NHL retirement

Braydon Coburn recently brought the Stanley Cup to Shaunavon. STEVEN MAH/SOUTHWEST BOOSTER FILE PHOTO

Braydon Coburn announced his retirement from the National Hockey League after playing 983 regular season games over 16 years.  

The Shaunavon product suited up for the Atlanta Thrashers, Philadelphia Flyers, Tampa Bay Lightning, Ottawa Senators, and New York Islanders, culminating with a Stanley Cup Championship with the Lightning in 2020.

“Walking into NHL buildings for the last 16 years, surrounded by hockey’s greatest players, coaches, management, trainers, officials, and fans, has been an incredible privilege. I’m very proud to have come into the league as an Atlanta Thrasher, proudly wore the orange and black as a member of the Philadelphia Flyers, won a Stanley Cup with the Tampa Bay Lightning and finished my career with the Ottawa Senators and the New York Islanders,” said Coburn in a statement released on nhlpa.com.

The 6’5’’ defenseman was a first round pick of the Atlanta Thrashers in 2003. He also had a decorated international career with gold medals for Canada at the 2002 Hlinka Gretzky Cup and the 2003 U-18 team in Yaroslavl, Russia. He won silver at the 2004 World Junior Hockey Championship and gold in 2005. Coburn added a silver medal with Canada at the 2009 World Championship.

He was able to have his long delayed day with the Stanley Cup when he brought the trophy to Shaunavon on August 8 to share with friends and family.

“Thank you to my parents, grandparents, and siblings for the sacrifices you made helping me realize my NHL dream. Thank you to my minor hockey coaches for always making the game fun, and countless others that taught me how awesome it was to be a part of a team. I would also like to send a sincere thank you to my teammates, friends and family, especially my wife, Nadine, my daughter, Rory, and my son, Blair, for their patience, support and unwavering love. I’m thankful for the amazing people I have met along the way, and I am very excited for what is to come.”