Edmonton Oilers' defenceman Andy SuttonReuters
Veteran defenceman Andy Sutton has retired from the NHL, ending a 15-year career beset by injuries.
Sutton played in 676 NHL games, most recently with Edmonton. He also suited up for San Jose, Minnesota, Atlanta, the New York Islanders, Ottawa and Anaheim.
He registered 1,134 hits, 1,164 blocked shots and 1,185 penalty minutes in his career, while adding 38 goals and 112 assists for 150 points in his career.
However, his physical style of play took its toll. The 6-foot-6, 245-pound native of Kingston, Ont., endured 12 surgeries for various injuries that caused him to miss a number of games in his career. He never played an entire season, and reached the 60-game plateau only three times.
Sutton, 38, last played with the Oilers in the 2011-12 season, compiling three goals, seven assists and 80 penalty minutes in 52 games. He was also suspended twice.
He spent the entire 201-13 season on Edmonton's injured reserve list with a knee injury.
"My NHL career enabled me to not only play the game I love, but to also be a part of something that so many kids dream about growing up," Sutton said in a statement. "Throughout my 15 years in the league, I have played for some exceptional hockey teams and have met quality people and friends along the way. None of what I accomplished on the ice would have been possible without the unwavering support of my family, friends, teammates and fans who made playing hockey even more enjoyable."
Sutton lives in California with his wife and daughter and is in the process of licensing seven technology patents for hockey protection equipment.