After 668 career NHL games, Chris Stewart is hanging up the skates for good. The 32 year old forward has been part of seven different NHL franchises, and played one season in the EIHL with the Nottingham Panthers. He announced his retirement Sunday night via Twitter.
Stewart signed a PTO with the Flyers back in July of 2019, followed by a contract in October. Stewart appeared in 16 games for the Flyers, tallying one assist and 16 penalty minutes. He spent part of the year down in Lehigh Valley with the Phantoms. There, he put up one goal and two assists in six games with the minor league club.
The signing was met with a fair share of criticism. The Flyers had a plethora of young talent and limited cap space. Chuck Fletcher decided to bring Stewart on board and it payed dividends. Stewart developed a relationship with Nolan Patrick and helped him through some rough times.
Stewart’s NHL career began in 2008 with the Colorado Avalanche. In two and a half seasons, he posted 52 goals and 61 assists in 166 games. Colorado traded Stewart to St. Louis, where he notched 63 goals and 52 assists in 211 games. St. Louis traded Stewart to Buffalo in 2014. Stewart amassed 11 goals and 14 assists in 66 games for the Sabres. In March of 2015, Stewart was traded once again, this time to Minnesota. He put up three goals and eight assists in 20 games for the Wild that season. The very next year, he signed with Anaheim. He posted eight goals and 12 assists in 56 games. He then signed back with Minnesota, this time posting 22 goals and 12 assists in his second stint with the Wild. Minnesota would waive Stewart, only to be claimed by the Calgary Flames where he netted a single goal and added two assists in seven games. Stewart finished his career with the Flyers organization.
Stewart played one year in the Elite Ice Hockey League in the United Kingdom (2018/19.) He had signed a contract to play in the KHL for HC Slovan Bratislava, but never showed up for the introductory press conference. Stewart cited family concerns, and signed in the EIHL with the Nottingham Panthers.
Fun fact about Chris Stewart
Over his 11 year career, Stewart has attempted three penalty shots. His first was March sixth with Colorado, second with St. Louis on February 29, and third with Anaheim on February ninth. He converted on all penalty shots, and is 100% over his career.
Mandatory Credit – Alex McIntyre
