Colorado Avalanche Goalie Jean-Sebastien Giguere Announces Retirement

(Photo: Ron Chenoy, USA TODAY Sports)

After playing 16 seasons in the NHL, Avalanche goalie Jean-Sebastien Giguere has announced his retirement.

Giguere, 37, was drafted 13th overall by the Hartford Whalers in the 1995 NHL draft. Following a season with Hartford, he spent time playing for Calgary, Anaheim, Toronto, and Colorado. Giguere closes out his career with an overall record of 262-216-50 with 25 ties, a 2.53 GAA, .913 SV%, and 38 shutouts in regular season games. He won a Stanley Cup with the Ducks in 2007 as well as the Conn Smythe Trophy in 2003, when the Ducks lost the Stanley Cup Final to the Devils in seven games.

Giguere has spent the past three seasons with the Avalanche as a backup goalie, posting a 31-21-8 record with a 2.51 GAA and a .914 SV%. In the 2013-14 season, he was 11-6-1 in 22 games with a 2.62 GAA and two shutouts. Following the end of his NHL career, Giguere now looks to expand his role with the Blainville-Boisbriand QMJHL hockey team; he is currently a partial owner of the franchise.

Joe Sakic, Colorado Avalanche Executive Vice President of Hockey Operations, has issued the following statement in regard to Giguere’s retirement:

“On behalf of the Colorado Avalanche, I would like to congratulate Jean-Sebastien on an outstanding hockey career. His achievements speak for themselves, from winning the Stanley Cup to winning the Conn Smythe, Jiggy was always a top-notch goaltender. He was also a very important part of our team during the past three seasons, providing veteran leadership and stability in net. We wish him and his family the best of luck.”