Photo by Andy Devlin/NHLI via Getty Images For hockey fans who watched him grow from a raw second-round draft pick into a dependable defenseman, Marco Scandella’s announcement this week marks the end of an era. The 35-year-old defenseman from Montreal officially confirmed his retirement from the National Hockey League after 14 seasons. The St. Louis Blues shared the news Thursday on their official social media channels.The decision had been coming for some time. In October 2024, Marco Scandella told Matthew DeFranks of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch that he was retired, though he had not yet made it official. Nearly a year later, his career is formally closed, leaving behind a resume built on perseverance, stability, and defensive responsibility.
Marco Scandella’s NHL journey: From Minnesota Wild draft pick to St. Louis Blues veteran
Marco Scandella entered the NHL as a second-round selection by the Minnesota Wild in the 2008 NHL Draft, following a strong junior career with Val-d’Or in the QMJHL. He made his league debut for the Minnesota Wild on November 12, 2010, against the Florida Panthers, and scored his first career NHL goal against Steve Mason of the Columbus Blue Jackets during the 2011–12 season.Injuries slowed his development — including concussions, finger issues, and groin problems — but Scandella persisted. By the 2013–14 season, he established himself as a reliable shutdown defenseman, skating heavy minutes alongside close friend Jared Spurgeon. That consistency earned him a five-year, $20 million extension with the Minnesota Wild in November 2014, signed the same night he scored an overtime winner against the Dallas Stars.After seven seasons in Minnesota, Marco Scandella was traded to the Buffalo Sabres on June 30, 2017. His best NHL campaign came with the Buffalo Sabres in 2017–18, when he played all 82 games for the only time in his career and posted five goals and 22 points.In January 2020, the Buffalo Sabres dealt Scandella to the Montreal Canadiens, where he spent just one month before being traded again. He scored his first and only goal for the Canadiens on February 8, 2020, in a 2–1 overtime victory against the Toronto Maple Leafs. That same month, the Canadiens traded him to the St. Louis Blues — a move that gave him stability in the final stage of his career.
St. Louis Blues defenseman Marco Scandella reflects on final seasons before NHL retirement
With the St. Louis Blues, Marco Scandella appeared in 215 games across five seasons, recording nine goals and 34 points while maintaining a plus-39 rating. He averaged 16:55 of ice time per game during his Blues tenure and added 17 playoff appearances, though he did not record a point. His final NHL action came in the 2023–24 season, where he scored two goals and eight assists in 65 games while averaging 12:28 of ice time.“Marco was such a steady presence for us,” the St. Louis Blues wrote on X Thursday when confirming his retirement. “He brought professionalism and poise every day.”By the end of his career, Marco Scandella totaled 51 goals and 170 points in 784 NHL games. In the Stanley Cup Playoffs, he added six goals and nine points in 56 appearances split between the Minnesota Wild and St. Louis Blues. Internationally, he represented Team Canada at the 2008 IIHF World Under-18 Championship, winning gold, and at the 2010 World Junior Championship, where Canada earned silver.What comes next is still unknown. With his defensive instincts and experience across four NHL franchises — the Minnesota Wild, Buffalo Sabres, Montreal Canadiens, and St. Louis Blues — a coaching future could be in the cards. For now, though, Marco Scandella’s retirement closes the chapter on a steady 14-year NHL career remembered for reliability, resilience, and professionalism.Also Read: NHL contract shakeup: Kirill Kaprizov’s historic Minnesota Wild deal could reach $16M, Jack Eichel closing in on Vegas Golden Knights extension, Jack Roslovic’s free agency saga continues