Vegas Golden Knights defenseman Alex Pietrangelo and general manager Kelly McCrimmon have both issued statements regarding the two-time Stanley Cup winner’s status for the 2025–26 season.
Vegas Golden Knights Provide Update on Defenseman Alex Pietrangelo #VegasBorn
— Vegas Golden Knights (@GoldenKnights) July 1, 2025
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Pietrangelo was set to compete for Team Canada in the 4 Nations Face-Off back in February but withdrew due to undisclosed injuries, hoping to recover in time for the remainder of the regular season. However, he never returned. Since then, there has been widespread speculation and persistent questions, especially following reports of the surgeries he required.
“After exploring options with doctors as well as my family, it’s been advised to remove the intensity of hockey to see if my body can improve so that I can return to a normal quality of life,” Pietrangelo said in the statement. “The likelihood is low that my body will recover to the standard required to play, but I know this is the right decision for me and my family.”
Pietrangelo has played 17 seasons in the NHL, 12 with the St. Louis Blues, four in which he was captain, and five with the Knights. He has appeared in 1,087 regular-season games, putting up 637 points (148 Goals, 489 Assists) with a career plus/minus rating of +123 rating. In the postseason, he has played in 149 games tallying 80 points (15 Goals, 65 Assists) and a +26 rating. During those playoff runs he won the Stanley Cup twice, once with St. Louis in 2019 and again with Vegas in 2023. The 35-year-old defenseman’s 149 postseason appearances are the most by any player taken in the 2008 NHL Entry Draft; he was the Blues fourth overall pick.
“Alex has given everything to the game and to the Golden Knights and has played through significant challenges in the pursuit of trying to win another Stanley Cup in Vegas,” general manager Kelly McCrimmon said. “He is one of the most respected players in the league, not only for his elite talent but for his character, leadership, competitiveness, and professionalism.”
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