Via NHL
In non-trade or signing deals news, New York Islanders Veteran Steve Staios announced his retirement yesterday via the NHL.
Staios was drafted by the league in 1991, but didn’t play for the Boston Bruins until 1995 which he did so for two consecutive seasons. Then he was with the Vancouver Canucks from 1996-1999, and then he played two seasons for the now Winnipeg Jets, but the then Atlanta Thrashers. After his tenure with the Thrashers he played the most with the Edmonton Oilers where he reached some success by helping the team get to the Cup game. He played there for 8 seasons and then moved on to the Calgary Flames in 2009. This past season was his only season with the New York Islanders.
The seasoned veteran has played 18 seasons with the NHL and is about ready to turn 37, so it was probably in his best interest to retire at this point in his career. In his career he ends with 56 goals, 164 assists and a whopping 1,322 PIMs. Staios is also well known for being a part of the 2006 Edmonton Oilers team who made into the Stanley Cup Final Game. In his last season with the islanders he had 8 assists, 8 points, 53 PIMs and was -19 all within playing 65 games out of a 82 game season.
While Staios might be hanging up his skates right now, that doesn’t mean he is done with the game itself. Staios will be heading to Toronto as the Maple Leafs Player Development Advisor. This means he will be helping the Maple Leafs management staff with prospects and scouting in addition to special assignments for the minor and pro league systems.
