Jesper Fast always hoped of recovering from a neck injury and returning to the Carolina Hurricanes and the NHL.

But the forward has decided to retire. The Hurricanes announced Monday that the Swedish winger had made the decision to end his NHL career after 11 seasons.

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Fast, 33, was a valuable and versatile player for the Hurricanes, capable of playing an effective 200-foot game. He was a part of three Stanley Cup playoff teams with Carolina, at times playing with center Jordan Staal and winger Jordan Martinook to form a formidable checking line.

Fast twice had overtime goals during the 2023 playoffs. The first beat the New York Islanders in Game 2 of the opening round, and the second goal clinched the Canes’ playoff series in Game 5 against New Jersey.

Fast was injured in the final game of the 2023-24 season in Columbus after taking a cross-check from the Blue Jackets’ Erik Gudbranson and crashing into the boards.

During his end-of-season media interview, Fast said sitting out the 2024 playoffs was the “worst-case scenario” and said he was “hopeful” of a return. But Fast had neck surgery Aug. 6, 2024 and was ruled out of the 2024-25 season as he underwent physical rehab.

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“I never took for granted the privilege of playing in the best league in the world,” Fast said in a statement. “I am grateful for all of the teammates, coaches, staff and fans from the Rangers and Hurricanes who made my time in the NHL so special, and for my family for everything they did to help me achieve and live my dream.”

Fast played 703 career regular-season games for the New York Rangers and Hurricanes over 11 seasons, finishing with 91 goals and 157 assists and a plus-41 plus/minus rating. The Nassjo, Sweden, native also appeared in 80 career Stanley Cup playoff games.

Fast, after playing parts of seven seasons with the Rangers, signed with Carolina as a free agent on October 2020. He established career highs in games played (82), goals (14), points (34) and plus/minus (+24) in the 2021-22 season.

Fast was selected as the winner of the Steve Chiasson Award that honors the player who best exemplifies determination and dedication while proving to be an inspiration to his teammates through his performance and approach to the game.

Fast was in the second year of a two-year contract that paid $2.4 million a year and was due to become an unrestricted free agent.