The 34-year-old goalie said he will not be able to make a full recovery from an ankle injury sustained during his time with the Montreal Canadiens last season.
Hammond most famously went 20-1-2 with a 1.79 goals-against average, .941 save percentage and three shutouts in 24 games with the Ottawa Senators in 2014-15. He was named NHL First Star of the Month in March 2015, was tied for seventh in voting for the Vezina Trophy, which goes to the best goalie in the NHL, and was a finalist for the Bill Masterton Trophy, which is awarded to the player who best shows the qualities of perseverance, sportsmanship and dedication to hockey.
The remarkable run helped the Senators reach the Stanley Cup Playoffs and also led to fans tossing hamburgers on the ice as a tribute to a player who had been nicknamed “The Hamburglar” during his four seasons at Bowling Green State University (2009-13).
After being seen picking up a hamburger off the ice, Hammond received a card that guarantees him free McDonald’s food for life.
Hammond went 31-20-7 with a 2.56 GAA, .916 save percentage and four shutouts in 67 NHL games (59 starts) with the Senators, Colorado Avalanche, Canadiens and New Jersey Devils.
Last season he was 4-5-1 with a 3.89 GAA and .879 save percentage in 11 games with the Canadiens and Devils. They were his first NHL games since 2017-18, when he played one with the Avalanche. He played exclusively in the American Hockey League from 2018-21.
Hammond played two games in the Kontinental Hockey League this season.
“St. Patrick’s Day 2013, I signed an NHL contract with the Ottawa Senators. One dream came true,” Hammond wrote on his Twitter account. “I was an undrafted free agent signing out of college. I thought things couldn’t get better than that. I was wrong… my career was a series of unbelievable and unexpected memories. I met some of the best people I know and I can honestly say I had the best ‘job’ in the world.
“As life throws more unexpected things my way, I am retiring from hockey. Unfortunately, during my time with Montreal I hurt my ankle and I won’t be able to make a full recovery. I’m excited for more time stopping pucks at home with Cal, Carson and Harlow.”
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