Ducks wing Silfverberg retiring at end of season

Anaheim Ducks forward Jakob Silfverberg will retire at the end of the 2023-24 season, the club announced Thursday. Silverberg will skate in his final home game with the Ducks on Friday against Calgary.

Originally drafted by Ottawa in the second round (39th overall) of the 2009 NHL draft, Silfverberg skated in only 48 games for the Senators before he was traded to Anaheim (along with Stefan Noesen, in exchange for a first-round draft pick and Bobby Ryan) ahead of the 2013-14 season. Silfverberg spent the rest of his 817-game career with the Ducks, collecting 168 goals and 373 points.

“It’s been an honor and privilege to play in the National Hockey League,” Silfverberg said in a statement. “I want to thank the Samueli family for being who they are, gracious, community-minded owners that support their team while making a significant impact in our community. Obviously, I wouldn’t be where I am without my teammates, all the trainers and staff that have helped me along the way. Most importantly, thank you to my family who have supported me as I lived out a dream.”

Silfverberg, 33, made his mark on Anaheim with over 10 years of consistent output. He has tallied 158 goals since joining the Ducks, which is the most by any franchise player in that stretch, and sits among the organization’s all-time leaders in goals (fifth), games (fifth), points (seventh), game-winning goals (seventh, 20), and assists (eighth).

In 69 playoff games, Silfverberg added another 18 goals and 45 points, and he twice helped Anaheim reach the Western Conference final (in 2015 and 2017). He was also named the team’s Bill Masterton Trophy nominee (awarded for perseverance and sportsmanship) in 2022-23 after successfully coming back from a blood clot issue and hip surgery the year before.

“On behalf of the entire Ducks organization, congratulations to Jakob on an outstanding NHL career,” said Ducks GM Pat Verbeek. “He was the ultimate character player for the Ducks, Senators and his native Sweden, leading by example and always putting the team first. His contributions on the ice and in the Orange County community will have a lasting impact.”

Hailing from Galve, Sweden, Silfverberg had a fantastic final season with Brynas of the Swedish Hockey League in 2011-12 before coming to North America. His 54 points in 49 games that year earned Silfverberg MVP honors in both the regular season and playoffs, during which he set a record with 13 goals en route to Brynas winning a league title.