In a surprising turn of events, former NHL all-star Ryan Getzlaf has officially joined the NHL Department of Player Safety, as announced by NHL senior vice president of player safety George Parros on Wednesday. Getzlaf, now 39 years old, is a retired hockey player who spent an impressive 17 seasons with the Anaheim Ducks, leaving behind a legacy of 282 goals and 1,019 points in 1,157 career games. Not to mention, he played a pivotal role in leading the team to a Stanley Cup title in 2007.
Standing tall at 6-foot-4, Getzlaf’s impact on the Ducks’ franchise is undeniable as he has left his mark on the team’s record book. He holds the record for most games played (1,157), assists (737), points (1,019), and sits comfortably in fourth place in terms of goals scored with 282 to his name.
George Parros expressed his enthusiasm about Getzlaf joining the NHL Department of Player Safety, stating, “We are thrilled to welcome Ryan as the newest member of our department. His accomplishments on the ice speak for themselves: he won at every level and was widely respected for being a hard-nosed and highly-skilled player and effective leader. From his rookie NHL season in 2005 until his recent retirement, he lived and played through many of the changes our game has seen, which will provide our group with unique and valuable perspective moving forward.”
Since retiring in 2023, Getzlaf had been serving as the Ducks player development coordinator, but now he is set to embark on a new chapter in his hockey career with the NHL. Hailing from Regina, Sask., Getzlaf also had the privilege of representing Canada twice at the Winter Olympic Games, securing gold medals in 2010 and 2014. Additionally, he claimed a silver medal at the 2008 World Championship and captained Team Canada to victory at the 2016 World Cup of Hockey.
With such an impressive resume both on and off the ice, it’s evident that Ryan Getzlaf’s transition to the NHL Department of Player Safety is a highly anticipated move that will surely bring a wealth of experience and expertise to the league’s disciplinary body. Getzlaf’s presence in this new role is bound to have a lasting impact as he continues to contribute to the world of hockey in a different capacity.