Devante Smith-Pelly, who played for the Canadiens from 2014 to 2016, is retiring from hockey.
The 30-year-old striker made the announcement on his Instagram account on Friday afternoon.
“I have decided to end this chapter of my life and retire,” he wrote. I am grateful for the opportunity I had to live my dream of playing in the NHL. Throughout my career, I have experienced the lowest of lows and the highest of highs. »
“I got to travel to places I never thought I would and play alongside and against some of the best hockey players in the world. I’m so proud to say that a young boy from Scarborough, Ontario is stepping down as a Stanley Cup champion. »
Smith-Pelly, who did not play this season, was selected in the second round of the 2010 draft by the Anaheim Ducks, with whom he played from 2011 to 2015. He then joined the Canadiens in a exchange involving Jiri Sekac. He played 66 games in two seasons with the Habs, collecting 15 points.
The Ontarian then played with the New Jersey Devils for two seasons, then with the Washington Capitals. He had an important role in the Capitals’ Stanley Cup conquest in 2018, registering 7 goals and one assist in 24 playoff games.
Since then, Smith-Pelly had moved from organization to organization in the American League. During the holidays last season, he signed a pro tryout with the Laval Rocket, amassing 8 points in 24 games.
In his message, the striker thanks each of the cities in which he played, then his family, before addressing Anthony and Chris Stewart, Wayne Simmonds and Joel Ward.
“You led the shift for my generation and demonstrated that it was possible to get there from where we came from. I hope I had the same impact on young people after me. »