Carolina Hurricanes Forward Jesper Fast announced he is retiring from playing professional hockey. Fast missed the entire 2024-25 season with a neck injury.
He signed with the Hurricanes in 2020 after six seasons with the New York Rangers.
“I never took for granted the privilege of playing in the best league in the world,” Fast said in a statement issued by the team.
Fast was injured in April 2024 when Columbus Blue Jackets defenseman Erik Gudbranson cross-checked him from behind into the boards. Fast didn’t play in the 2024 Stanley Cup Playoffs and ultimately didn’t return to playing hockey.
In 11 seasons, Fast played in 703 career-games between the Rangers and Hurricanes with 91 goals and 157 assists.