Alex Pietrangelo is going through one of the toughest moments of his career. Just a day ago, it was revealed that he will require multiple surgeries to repair injuries he suffered—some of which he struggled with throughout last season with the Vegas Golden Knights. Now, he’s had to make a painful announcement about his career.
“After exploring options with doctors as well as my family, it’s been advised to remove the intensity of hockey to see if my body can improve so that I can return to a normal quality of life. This decision has been difficult to come to terms with after the last 17 years of competition and the camaraderie with my teammates and coaches. The likelihood is low that my body will recover to the standard required to play, but I know this is the right decision for me and my family,” Pietrangelo said in part of his statement.
Nowhere in Alex Pietrangelo’s statement did he say he was officially retiring from the NHL, nor did he confirm his time with the Vegas Golden Knights was over. That leaves the door open for a possible return—if he can fully recover.
Major Surgery Ahead for Pietrangelo
According to the Golden Knights, Pietrangelo is set to undergo a complex procedure called bilateral femur reconstruction—a highly delicate surgery that will target both legs to repair the damage he’s been dealing with.
“Alex Pietrangelo is dealing with a hip injury that would require bilateral femur reconstruction ‘with no guarantee of success,’” Danny Webster reported on X. Recovery time could take anywhere from 4 to 6 months per leg.
Public Reacts to the News
News of the surgery sparked a wave of reactions. Many fans wondered if Pietrangelo was retiring—something he didn’t actually announce—while others speculated it could be a cap space strategy by Vegas.
Some even joked the team was clearing room for Mitch Marner, who had just arrived, and predicted Pietrangelo would magically return in time for Game 1 of next season’s playoffs.
