Former Oiler Sam Gagner reveals personal reason why he ended his career
Photo credit: USA Today Sports
In a recent interview on Daily Faceoff with host Jeff Marek, former Edmonton Oiler Sam Gagner spoke on a number of topics, including his love for the game, Muskoka Hockey, and his admiration of two of the NHL's brightest stars.
Part of me still loves playing," Gagner said. "would still want to love that. You know, I think I just got to a point with my family life and kids, I just wanted an opportunity to get them settled in one place.
It worked really well for me that I had been building Muskoka Hockey as I was playing. I finished last year playing in Belleville, had a conversation with Steve Staois about doing something with Ottawa, and it just kind of worked out really well.
- Sam Gagner
It worked really well for me that I had been building Muskoka Hockey as I was playing. I finished last year playing in Belleville, had a conversation with Steve Staois about doing something with Ottawa, and it just kind of worked out really well.
- Sam Gagner
Former long-time Oiler talks about contributing factors on his decision to retire
Sam Gagner announced his retirement from the NHL in May 2025 after a 17-season career, of which ten were with the Oilers. He drafted 6th overall in 2007 by Edmonton.
Immediately following his retirement, however, Ganger joined the Ottawa Senators' front office as the Director of Player Development. While Gagner had played over 1,000 NHL games and expressed a desire to continue playing, his decision likely stemmed from a combination of factors.
In March of 2023, Sam Gagner underwent surgery for both his hips, causing him to miss the balance of the 2022-23 NHL campaign.
The Senators also offered Gagner the Director of Player Development position, providing a pathway to remain involved in hockey at a high level without the physical toll of playing.
During the interview, Jeff Marek asked Sam Gagner to name some players whose talent he admired, and without hesitation, named his former-teammates.
«I mean, Connor and Leon,» he said. «Having played with them, I think Connor does things that I don't think anyone has ever seen before. It's hard for me to look at him and think, 'How does he do that?' because I don't think anybody knows. He's at such a different level.
Leon is probably the best in the game at picking a puck off the wall and finding a lane that you didn't think was there,» Gagner continued. «I love watching him because those are areas that I think can be taught a little bit more. He does them at such a level that you can't teach to his level, but I think I can study his game a little bit better.»
Leon is probably the best in the game at picking a puck off the wall and finding a lane that you didn't think was there,» Gagner continued. «I love watching him because those are areas that I think can be taught a little bit more. He does them at such a level that you can't teach to his level, but I think I can study his game a little bit better.»
No doubt he will bring all he's learned to his new position with the Ottawa Senators.
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