A legendary Vancouver Canucks defenceman is coming home, if only for a day.
Alexander Edler will sign a one-day contract to officially retire from the NHL as a member of the Canucks on Oct. 11, the team announced Tuesday.
Edler, 38, spent 15 years with the Canucks from the 2006-07 season to the 2020-21 season, playing 925 games regular-season games for Vancouver. He also appeared in 82 playoff games for the Canucks — including 25 during the 2010-11 run to the Stanley Cup Final — scoring eight goals and 38 points total.
“I consider myself lucky to have started my career with such an outstanding organization, in this amazing city, with the best fans in the NHL,” Edler said in a statement released by the team. “Finishing my NHL career where it all began is something very special for myself and my family.”
Edler was selected in the third round, 91st overall, by the Canucks at the 2004 NHL Draft and went on to score 99 goals and 310 assists. His 925 games and 409 points — including 117 on the power play — rank first in franchise history amongst defenceman.
The Osterland, Sweden native spent the last two seasons with the Los Angeles Kings. Throughout his 17-year NHL career, he’s appeared in 1,030 games.
