A former Pittsburgh Penguins teammate of Sidney Crosby, who celebrated the teamâs Stanley Cup conquest during the 2016â17 NHL season, has now announced his retirement from the league.
Another member of the Penguinsâ Stanley Cupâwinning roster in 2017 has stepped away from the NHL. As if fans in The Burgh needed another reminder that the glory days are well behind them. Everybody seems to be moving on. Yet, the Penguins are still staring at the pictures and trophies on the wallâwondering where the time has gone.
At 35 years of age, veteran Chad Ruhwedel has stepped away from the game, officially hanging the skates. From undrafted to a member of a championship roster, the former Penguins teammate of Crosby is now eyeing the next step on his life.
Ruhwedelâs statement
âPlaying in the NHL has been a dream come true,â Ruhwedel said on his farewell letter. âIâm incredibly grateful to the Buffalo Sabres, Pittsburgh Penguins, and New York Rangers organizations for giving me the opportunity to live that dream.
Chad Ruhwedel #2 of the Pittsburgh Penguins skates against the Boston Bruins during the first period in the 2023 Discover NHL Winter Classic at Fenway Park on January 02, 2023 in Boston, Massachusetts.
âWhile there have been countless unforgettable moments on the ice, itâs the relationships and friendships built along the way that I cherish most. To my family, teammates, coaches, fans and countless others who supported me, thank you for being a part of this amazing journey.â
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Signed as an undrafted free agent by the Buffalo Sabres, Ruhwedel was picked up by Crosbyâs Penguins in 2016. He played eight NHL seasons in the City of Bridges before being traded to Manhattan in 2024. The blueliner spent the 2023â24 and 2024â25 seasons with the New York Rangers, yet appeared in just 10 games and recorded one point.
Why isnât his name on the Cup?
Although Ruhwedel appeared in six games during the 2017 Stanley Cup Playoffs, he didnât have his name etched on Lord Stanley, nor does he figure as a Stanley Cup champion in the NHL.
The reason behind that? Ruhwedel had spent one-third of the 2016-17 season in the American Hockey League (AHL) with the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins. Regardless, the defenseman did enjoy some of the perks of being a champion. Pittsburgh gave him a day with the Cup, as well as a championship ring.
