BREAKING NEWS: Montreal Canadiens defenseman announce retirement from hockey
A former NHL player has opted to retire from his professional hockey career. Chris Wideman, a defenseman for the Montreal Canadiens, made the announcement on Tuesday. He hasn’t played this season due to ongoing lumbar disc issues that sidelined him since September.
In an interview with Simon-Olivier Lorange of La Presse, Wideman revealed how the injury had impacted his personal life, citing difficulty in holding his son due to discomfort.
Despite his love for the game, Wideman recognized the need to prioritize his well-being and decided to step away. During the 2022-23 season, he battled through the pain, appearing in 46 games for the Canadiens and contributing six assists.
Wideman joined Montreal as a free agent in July 2021, accumulating 110 games with the team and notching four goals and 33 points. His NHL journey began with the Ottawa Senators in 2015 after being drafted in 2009. He also had stints with the Edmonton Oilers and the Florida Panthers.
Chris Wideman has announced his retirement from professional hockey at the age of 34.
h/t: @SO_Lorange pic.twitter.com/E2fFWHnXjV
— TSN (@TSN_Sports) April 16, 2024
In addition to his NHL career, Wideman played for the San Diego Gulls in the AHL during the 2019-20 season. He represented Team USA at the 2021 IIHF World Championship and earned recognition as the top defenseman in the Kontinental Hockey League in 2021.
Throughout his NHL tenure, Wideman played 291 games, scoring 20 goals and 58 assists. He also participated in 15 playoff games during the Senators’ Eastern Conference Finals run in 2017.