Jesper Fast Announces Retirement
Jesper Fast, the Carolina Hurricanes forward, announced his retirement on Monday, concluding a professional career that spanned over a decade and included significant contributions to both the Hurricanes and the New York Rangers. At 33 years old, Fast’s decision comes in the wake of a severe neck injury that sidelined him for the entirety of the current season.
Injury and Impact
The injury occurred during the final game of the 2023-24 regular season when he was on the receiving end of a cross-check from Erik Gudbranson of the Columbus Blue Jackets. This incident abruptly ended his playing season as the Hurricanes prepared for the playoffs.
Retirement Statement
“I never took for granted the privilege of playing in the best league in the world.”
In his retirement statement, Fast expressed deep appreciation for his time in the NHL, thanking his teammates, coaches, and fans from both the Rangers and the Hurricanes, as well as his family for their enduring support. He also acknowledged the pivotal roles played by the Swedish hockey clubs Nassjo HC and HV71 in his development as a player.
Career Overview
Fast had been away from the game since the injury in April 2024. A subsequent neck surgery announced by the team in August confirmed that he would miss the entire 2024-25 season. Following the surgery, Fast appeared at end-of-year interviews wearing a neck brace, admitting that this phase was among the hardest in his career, especially as he watched the Hurricanes advance in the playoffs without him.
Over the course of 11 seasons in the NHL, Fast participated in 703 regular-season games, accumulating a total of 91 goals and 157 assists. He joined the Hurricanes in October 2020 and later secured a two-year contract extension worth $4.8 million in July 2023. Notably, his playoff performance was instrumental in leading the Hurricanes to the Eastern Conference final in 2023, where he netted six goals, including a critical overtime goal against the New York Islanders and a series-clinching goal against the New Jersey Devils.
Fast was initially selected by the Rangers as a sixth-round pick in the 2010 NHL Draft, marking the beginning of a career defined by resilience and success.
