Carolina Hurricanes forward Jesper Fast has decided to end his professional ice hockey career following a neck injury that kept him out of this entire season. The announcement of his retirement came on Monday, marking the close of a significant chapter as Fast, 33, steps away from the NHL.
Reflecting on his career, Fast expressed his appreciation for the opportunity to compete in the NHL, acknowledging the privilege it was to play in what he considers the best league in the world. In a heartfelt statement, he extended his gratitude toward his teammates, coaches, staff, and fans from both the New York Rangers and Carolina Hurricanes. Fast also credited his family for their unwavering support, as well as Nassjo HC and HV71, the organizations that he said were pivotal in his development into an NHL player.
Fast’s last appearance on the ice was in April 2024, when an incident with Blue Jackets defenseman Erik Gudbranson led to a severe neck injury during a game irrelevant to the standing, as Carolina was saving players for the playoffs. This unfortunate event was a serious blow to the team, as Coach Rod Brind’Amour lamented the injury. “That’s the part that just makes you sick, to be honest with you,” he remarked, emphasizing the importance of avoiding injuries in such games.
In the aftermath, Fast made a public appearance with a neck brace during the end-of-season interviews, describing the injury as one of the most challenging phases of his career. At that time, the Hurricanes had been knocked out of the playoffs by the Rangers in the second round. By August, the team confirmed Fast had undergone neck surgery, resulting in him missing the 2024-25 season entirely.
Fast joined Carolina initially in 2020 and secured a two-year, $4.8 million contract extension in July 2023. During his tenure with the Hurricanes, he proved vital, scoring six postseason goals as the team reached the Eastern Conference finals in 2023. Noteworthy performances included an overtime goal against the New York Islanders and a pivotal game-winning goal that sealed the series against the New Jersey Devils in the 2023 playoffs.
Spanning 11 seasons, Jesper Fast played 703 regular-season NHL games with both the Rangers and the Hurricanes, amassing 91 goals and 157 assists. His journey from his selection as a sixth-round draft pick by the Rangers in 2010 to a seasoned NHL career testifies to his talent and dedication to the sport.