Jimmy Howard announces retirement

After 14 seasons in the NHL, former Detroit Red Wings goalie Jimmy Howard decided to hang up the skates.

The 36-year-old announced his retirement Thursday on Instagram, thanking the Red Wings organization, the fans, and his friends and family for the support.

In the post, Howard said he looks forward to spending more time with his family, coaching his son’s hockey team and new opportunities.

Drafted in the 2nd round (64th overall) of the 2003 NHL entry draft, Howard notched a record of 246-196-70 in 543 games with the Red Wings. He recorded a career 2.62 goals against average, .912 save percentage and 24 shutouts. He ranks third in wins in franchise history behind Terry Sawchuk (350) and Chris Osgood (317).

In 2009-10, he made the NHL’s All-Rookie Team with a 37-15-10 record in 63 games and posted a 2.26 GAA, .924 save percentage, three shutouts and an all-situations goals saved above average of 23.06, which was fourth in the league. That season, he finished second for the Calder Memorial Trophy (Rookie of the Year) behind Buffalo’s Tyler Myers.

Howard, a three-time All-Star, was a steady presence for the Red Wings ever since becoming the full-time starter in 2009-10, leading them to seven consecutive playoff appearances. He wasn’t as flashy as Dominik Hasek, but up solid numbers behind an aging core that eventually lost Nicklas Lidstrom, Brian Rafalski, Niklas Kronwall, Henrik Zetterberg and Pavel Datsyuk.

One of his best seasons was the 2016-17 campaign, in which he posted a 2.10 GAA, .927 save percentage and an all-situations GSAA of 9.04. It was the first year the Red Wings missed the playoffs in 25 seasons.

After that season, Howard started to regress, as his goals against average started to rise and his save percentage started to fall. In 2019-20, Howard finished the season with a 4.20 GAA, .882 save percentage and a -22.10 all-situations GSAA, which was last in the league of all goalies who played at least 300 minutes.