Red Wings Magic Man Datsyuk Calling It Quits

Former Detroit Red Wings center Pavel Datsyuk is coming to the realization that his hockey career is coming to an end. Soon, he will be making that fact of life official.

Playing on Thursday in the farwell match to mark the retirement of former NHLer Alexander Semin in Russia, Datsyuk was admitting that very soon, he, too, will be offically announcing his retirement.

Alex Semin, Pavel Datsyuk, Alex Ovechkin and Dmitry Orlov participate in tree-planting ceremony in Krasnoyarsk, Russia on Wednesday. #ALLCAPS pic.twitter.com/bpDIT4r59w

— #ALLCAPS (@JonItBe) June 30, 2022

“Everything is logical, I just haven’t officially announced it yet,” Datsyuk told reporters. “Everything is logical, everyone understands. I will definitely announce, with great pleasure and respect for the fans, for everyone who helped me.”

Datsyuk, 43, sat out the 2022-23 season while weighing his future options. He played with his hometown team, Avtomobilist Yekaterinburg of the KHL from 2019-21. Following the 2020-21 KHL campaign, he was presented with two league awards.

Pavel Datsyuk about retiring:

Roman Skvortsov asked live on Match TV during the farewell match of Alexander Semin about the end of his career, the Magic Man gave the following answer:

“I think it's all logical. Everyone understands. I just haven’t announced it yet." #LGRW pic.twitter.com/GbCDur5kvY

— Hockey News Hub (@HockeyNewsHub) June 30, 2022

Prior to that, Datsyuk performed for three seasons with SKA St. Petersburg. In 2018, on home ice in Sochi, he captained Russia to the Olympic gold medal, becoming a member of the Triple Gold Club. He won Stanley Cups with the Red Wings in 2001-02 and 207-08. As well, he was an IIHF World Champion with Russia in 2012. He also won a Gagarin Cup KHL title with SKA St. Petersburg.

Magic Man Datsyuk A Red Wings Legend

Datsyuk was a three-time 30-goal scorer for the Red Wings. The 2007-080 and 2008-09 NHL seasons saw him posting successive 97-point campaigns. Detroit wound up reaching the Stanley Cup final both seasons.

The Magic Man, as Datsyuk is known, won four straight Lady Byng Trophies from 2005-06 through 2008-09. He was also a three-time Selke Trophy winner as the NHL’s best defensive forward from 2007-08 through 2009-10. As well, he led the NHL in plus-minus in 2007-08 with a plus-41 rating.

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His spectacular one-on-one puck skills, highlight-reel goals, sensational breakaway moves and uncanny ability to strip opponents of the puck were integral elements in Datsyuk earning his nickname. He was a Hart Trophy finalist and NHL Second Team All-Star selection in 2008-09.