Corey Crawford Leaves Indelible Legacy with Blackhawks After Sudden Retirement

When Corey Crawford signed a two-year, $7.8 million contract with the New Jersey Devils on Oct. 9, all indications were that he still wanted to play hockey and believed he was capable of playing at a high level. It was the next chapter in a storied career for the longtime Chicago Blackhawks netminder. 

But a career that included the highest of highs and the lowest of lows came to a surprising end Saturday when he announced his retirement after 13 seasons before playing a game with the Devils. 

"I have been fortunate to have had a long career playing professional hockey for a living," Crawford said in a statement released by the NHLPA. "I wanted to continue my career, but believe I've given all I can to the game of hockey, and I have decided that it is time to retire. I would like to thank the New Jersey Devils organization for understanding and supporting my decision."

The news came after a week of speculation about his desire to continue playing and one day after he was granted a leave of absence.

The 36-year-old did not cite concussions as his reason for retirement, but they are a part of his story. He missed 80 games over his last three seasons with post-concussive syndrome after a concussion suffered at some point in December 2017. He suffered another one a year later, which was not as serious but started a cycle of symptoms all over again. 

"There's blurred vision, and I didn't really realize how bad it was until now where I'm [back to normal]," Crawford told Jason Lieser of the Chicago Sun-Times in April 2019. "The pain wasn't the worst pain in the world, but it was still kind of annoying day in, day out, 24 hours a day. After going through it and seeing how good I feel now, you realize, wow, that wasn't fun."

Crawford returned from his time out with head injuries to his elite form, but the bigger story is that he was consistently among the NHL's elite goalies throughout his career even if he wasn't always recognized for it. 

Nam Y. Huh/Associated Press

"The thing with Chicago is that we've always had a lot of good players come through here that deserve credit in their own right, so sometimes it gets passed around a little bit," defenseman Duncan Keith told reporters over Zoom on Saturday. "But guys in the room sure noticed it and knew what Crow brought to the team each and every night. There was never any sort of feeling of him being underrated in our group."

The Chateauguay, Quebec, native was selected 52nd overall in the 2003 draft by the Blackhawks amid a four-year career with the Moncton Wildcats of the QMJHL. He debuted in the NHL on Jan. 22, 2006, and he took over as Chicago's starter as a rookie during the 2010-11 season. 

Crow, as he came to be known by Blackhawks teammates and fans, was a model of consistency. He posted a .917 save percentage or better in eight of 10 full seasons, won the Jennings Trophy twice and helped the Blackhawks win Stanley Cup championships in 2013 and 2015. He nearly helped them get there in 2014, but Chicago lost to the eventual champion Los Angeles Kings in the Western Conference Final.

"He was an unbelievable player and obviously a big part of our championships here. A big part of the organization for the past 10-15 years," right winger Patrick Kane said in a Zoom press conference. "We talk about his even-keel demeanor, but he got up for those big games, and he shined in those big games as well."

He set records for postseason wins in Chicago (52) and helped the Blackhawks to a surprising postseason appearance last year. But beyond the numbers, he was known for his genuine personality. 

"Over the years, you have a lot of friends and family that come to visit, and if you play with a guy long enough, you get to know their friends and family and people outside of the rink," Keith said. "One thing my friends always said about Corey was that they always thought he was the nicest guy. They always thought he was such a nice guy taking the time to talk to them and that he was a really down-to-earth guy. 

"I think that says a lot about him."

There has been some talk about the organization signing Crawford to a ceremonial contract in order for him to retire with the only organization he ever really knew in the NHL. Head coach Jeremy Colliton, who has known Crawford since junior hockey, says it would be nice but is ultimately unnecessary. 

"He's a Blackhawk," he said. 

To say that Crawford's retirement leaves the Devils in a difficult spot is an understatement. 

New Jersey was hoping he could split the workload with Mackenzie Blackwood, as well as act as a mentor of sorts. In a normal year, the Devils could sign a free agent as a stopgap measure or get a goalie out of Europe. But this year is anything but normal, and the decision has ripple effects that will reach down to their American Hockey League affiliate. 

Scott Wedgewood will now back up Blackwood, and head coach Lindy Ruff said the club may have to alter its plans to have its goalies split time.

Mark J. Terrill/Associated Press

With the new taxi squad rules in place for the season, each team has to have three active goalies at all times. This is a crucial development year for the Devils, so it would benefit them to have their two best AHL goalies, Evan Cormier and Gilles Senn, stay with the Binghamton Devils. But that may not be possible. 

Crawford consulted with Ruff, general manager Tom Fitzgerald and former Hall of Fame goalie Martin Brodeur before retiring, but it was clear to the Devils' brass that he was struggling to make a decision. 

"This was something that was on his mind from the get-go," Ruff said. "Simple as that."

Crawford's life is different now with two small kids at home, and his head and heart are firmly with his family, not on the ice in Newark.

"I would like to thank the Chicago Blackhawks organization for giving me the chance to live my childhood dream," he said. "I am proud to have been part of winning two Stanley Cups in Chicago. Thank you to all of my teammates and coaches throughout the years. Also, thank you to the fans who make this great game what it is. I am happy and excited to move on to the next chapter of my life with my family.”