While in Charlottetown for the University of Prince Edward Island’s Men’s Hockey Alumni Day, former Caps winger and fan favorite, Joel Ward announced that he considers himself retired from professional hockey.

After a career spanning 11 seasons in the NHL, “The Big Cheese” is hanging up the skates at the age of 38.

Joel Ward said he considers himself retired from professional hockey while in Charlottetown for UPEI Men's Hockey Alumni Day. Ward played 11 NHL seasons with the Minnesota Wild, Nashville Predators, Washington Capitals and San Jose Sharks, recording 133 goals and 171 assists. pic.twitter.com/eKZBR0tzZr — Complete Hockey News (@CompleteHkyNews) February 11, 2019

Ward finishes up his career with 133 goals and 177 assists in 726 games for the Nashville Predators, Caps, and San Jose Sharks. Caps fans most remember Joel for sporting the number 42 in DC for four seasons and while with the Caps he set his career high in goals (24) and points (49) in the 2013-14 season.

Ward is also the scorer of one of the most important playoff goals in recent Caps history, as his 2012 strike in overtime downed the defending champion Boston Bruins in seven games. One could argue that his goal was not topped until this past victorious Stanley Cup postseason.

The owner of that famous goal call, Caps radio announcer John Walton tweeted this afternoon responding to the above tweet, “A most fitting picture for the Big Cheese, one of the all-time greats. Congrats, Joel.”

Joel’s retirement is a sad, but very deserved one as the hard-working winger battled through numerous levels of hockey to not only achieve his dream of playing in the NHL, but be a truly effective, great piece on the teams he was a part of. We wish Joel nothing but the best and hope that there are no locked bathroom stalls in retirement.

Update: An NHL source reached out to RMNB and said that Joel Ward is not “officially” retired yet.