Brent Seabrook Retires as a Quiet Great
CHICAGO - He was not "Showtime." He was not "The Captain." He never really received the profile or mythos of his fellow blueliner, Duncan Keith. But he was a vital piece of the "Core Four" that have become Chicago sports legends after they delivered the greatest run in Chicago Blackhawks history and probably the second best sports team this town has ever seen.
Placed on the long-term injured reserve list on Friday, Brent Seabrook decided to call it a career. And it was a good one.
When we say "quiet", we don't mean that of his on ice grace (one particular night in 2014 jumps to mind), or his demeanor and presence in the locker room. What we mean is that 'Seabs'/'Biscuit' was one of those players who wasn't underappreciated but whose play was so quietly consistent and dependable that, when you look back at his overall stats and accomplishments, it places him much higher on the Blackhawks All-Time list than you may have first thought.
Picked #14 by the Blackhawks in the 2003 NHL Draft, Seabrook would go on to spend the next 15 seasons with the team. His 1,114 regular season games played rank third in Blackhawks history behind Stan Mikita and Duncan Keith. In those games he scored 103 goals and 361 assists. He is one of only five Blackhawks defensemen to score 100 or more goals, and he is sixth in Blackhawks defensemen in all-time total points.
In addition to his regular season stats, he would appear in 123 postseason games and score an additional 20 goals. His most famous goal would come on May 29, 2013 when he scored the overtime goal in Game 7 of the 2013 Western Conference semifinals against the Detroit Red Wings.
Seabrook retires with his name on three Stanley Cup Trophies (Chicago Blackhawks: 2010, 2013, 2015) and an Olympic gold medal (Team Canada, 2010)
You can read Brent Seabrook's retirement statement in full below:
“I am so proud to have played my entire 15-year National Hockey League career in Chicago with the Blackhawks. 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. The love and support of my wife, Dayna, and my kids, Carter, Kenzie and Dylan has meant everything to me. My parents, Gary and Suzanne, and my brother Keith, have been behind me every step of the way and are my foundation.
I want to thank the Blackhawks organization - including the Wirtz Family, Rocky and Danny Wirtz, Stan Bowman and Jeremy Colliton - who have been very supportive throughout this process. I’m thankful for all that the Blackhawks have done for me and my career. This organization drafted me as an 18-year-old kid out of western Canada and this team became my family away from home. In addition, I'm thankful for the Blackhawks medical and training staff for always putting me in the best position to succeed on the ice. Over the past 15 years, I've played with and for some incredible teammates and coaches. I thank each and every one of you. It was an honor to wear the Blackhawks sweater and go to battle with you night in and night out. I loved being your teammate.
Lastly, to the great fans of the Chicago Blackhawks, thank you. I sacrificed everything for this team in our quest to lift three Stanley Cups and gave it everything I had for you. I couldn't have asked for a better fan base to play for. You, more than anyone, kept me honest and always pushed me to be better - while also cheering me as your All-Star and Champion. Lifting the Stanley Cup in 2015 in front of all the fans at the United Center will be a memory I’ll never forget. You have truly made Chicago a second home. My family and I will be forever grateful for your love and support and I look forward to always having a special connection with you the fans. I will always be a Blackhawk.
- Brent Seabrook
And we will always be a fan.