A former Pittsburgh Penguins teammate of Sidney Crosby, who celebrated the team’s Stanley Cup conquest during the 2016–17 NHL season, has now announced his retirement from the league.

Another member of the Penguins‘ Stanley Cup–winning roster in 2017 has stepped away from the NHL. As if fans in The Burgh needed another reminder that the glory days are well behind them. Everybody seems to be moving on. Yet, the Penguins are still staring at the pictures and trophies on the wall—wondering where the time has gone.

At 35 years of age, veteran Chad Ruhwedel has stepped away from the game, officially hanging the skates. From undrafted to a member of a championship roster, the former Penguins teammate of Crosby is now eyeing the next step on his life.

Ruhwedel’s statement

“Playing in the NHL has been a dream come true,” Ruhwedel said on his farewell letter. “I’m incredibly grateful to the Buffalo Sabres, Pittsburgh Penguins, and New York Rangers organizations for giving me the opportunity to live that dream.

Chad Ruhwedel #2 of the Pittsburgh Penguins skates against the Boston Bruins during the first period in the 2023 Discover NHL Winter Classic at Fenway Park on January 02, 2023 in Boston, Massachusetts.

Chad Ruhwedel #2 of the Pittsburgh Penguins skates against the Boston Bruins during the first period in the 2023 Discover NHL Winter Classic at Fenway Park on January 02, 2023 in Boston, Massachusetts.

“While there have been countless unforgettable moments on the ice, it’s the relationships and friendships built along the way that I cherish most. To my family, teammates, coaches, fans and countless others who supported me, thank you for being a part of this amazing journey.“

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Signed as an undrafted free agent by the Buffalo Sabres, Ruhwedel was picked up by Crosby’s Penguins in 2016. He played eight NHL seasons in the City of Bridges before being traded to Manhattan in 2024. The blueliner spent the 2023–24 and 2024–25 seasons with the New York Rangers, yet appeared in just 10 games and recorded one point.

Why isn’t his name on the Cup?

Although Ruhwedel appeared in six games during the 2017 Stanley Cup Playoffs, he didn’t have his name etched on Lord Stanley, nor does he figure as a Stanley Cup champion in the NHL.

The reason behind that? Ruhwedel had spent one-third of the 2016-17 season in the American Hockey League (AHL) with the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins. Regardless, the defenseman did enjoy some of the perks of being a champion. Pittsburgh gave him a day with the Cup, as well as a championship ring.