Ryan Getzlaf retirement: Ducks captain set to play in final NHL game

Sunday night at the Honda Center, Ryan Getzlaf will be donning the Ducks jersey for the final time. 

The 36-year-old captain announced earlier this month that he would retire from the NHL at the conclusion of the 2021-22 season. It marks the end of one of the greatest careers in Anaheim franchise history. 

Getzlaf is wrapping up his 17th season in the NHL, all of them with the Ducks. He came back for another season with the franchise in the offseason, signing a one-year contract. 

The 19th overall selection in the 2003 NHL Draft has battled injuries this season and played sparingly over the last month or so. He wanted his final game to be in front of the Anaheim faithful. 

"I've always said I was going to let my body and mind dictate when I was going to retire," Getzlaf said when he announced his intent to retire. "I remember talking to my buddies when I first came in the league, and I thought that was going to be at about 26. Definitely over-lasted what I thought I would. The grind of the everyday, getting up, the preparation for each season, gets harder and harder as you get older."

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He also cited family as a big reason for electing to hang up the skates. 

"I've created an atmosphere around me of support, a loving family that I'd like to go home to," Getzlaf said. "Kids that I'd like to grow up playing with, not watching play. That was a (reason) for me to step away from the game before those things happen."

Ducks owners Henry and Susan Samueli praised Getzlaf's contributions to the team and the impact he has had on the Anaheim community. 

"We are so proud of everything Ryan has accomplished in an amazing 17 years playing for the Ducks. While we will all remember his leadership qualities on the ice, it is his community-first approach that has cemented his legacy in Orange County. In addition to spearheading the Ducks Learn to Play Program and numerous other organizational charitable initiatives, he launched his own such event with the Annual Getzlaf Shootout to benefit CureDuchenne, raising over $4.27 million to date.

"Congratulations, Ryan. You've been our leader, our soul and our captain, leaving an indelible mark on our franchise that Ducks fans around the world will never forget."

Anaheim hasn't had a lot of success the past three seasons, but Getzlaf was a main component in its recent runs as a contender in the Western Conference. 

Getzlaf ends his career with a Stanley Cup, three-All Star selections, two Olympic gold medals and a number of franchise records. 

What Ducks franchise records does Ryan Getzlaf hold?

The 2021-22 season was special for the Ducks captain. Getzlaf became the 92nd player in NHL history to record 1,000 career points. He is the only Duck to ever accomplish that.

Reach 1,000 career points: ✅
Celebrate with the boys: ✅

What a moment for Ryan Getzlaf and the @AnaheimDucks! pic.twitter.com/jqOzl8inAS

— NHL (@NHL) November 17, 2021

That is just one of several of categories in which Getzlaf is first all time for the Ducks: