Former Penguins Defenseman Retires

The Pittsburgh Penguins rescued defenseman Justin Schultz from the Edmonton Oilers near the 2016 NHL trade deadline. For the next five seasons, Schultz was a fixture on the Penguins’ blue line, winning a pair of Stanley Cups and resuscitating his career before leaving via free agency to play a couple of seasons with the Washington Capitals and then two more with the Seattle Kraken.

Friday, Schultz called it a career.

Schultz, 34, remained unsigned this season and attempted to play for Lugano in the Swiss league. However, after just eight games, Schultz hung up his skates.

“My decision is entirely personal. After discussions with my family, I’ve decided to retire and return to Canada. I thank Hockey Club Lugano for their professionalism and respect for my decision, and I wish the club and the team the best in regaining success,” Schultz said via press release from Lugano.

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The affable Schultz was a highly sought-after college free agent who signed with the Edmonton Oilers in 2012 after a few seasons with the University of Wisconsin, but neither team nor player thrived during his tenure.

Edmonton fans decried Schultz’s lineup spot, and his performance dropped until former Penguins general manager Jim Rutherford acquired on Feb. 27, 2016 him for a third-round pick. The Penguins won the Stanley Cup, and Schultz played a key role in 2016.

Schultz had a career year in 2017 with 51 points (12-39-51), and the Penguins again won the Stanley Cup.

However, his performance waned, and both the team and the player needed a fresh start in 2020. Schultz signed a two-year, $8 million deal with Washington. In 2022, he signed a two-year, $6 million deal with Seattle.

Schultz had six assists in eight games with Lugano before calling it a career.

He played 234 games over five seasons with the Penguins, amassing 113 points (22-91-113). Overall, Schultz played 745 games over his 12-year career, totaling 324 points (71-253-324) and two Stanley Cups.

Fare thee well, Schultzy.