Michael Whitaker
Former Detroit Red Wings goaltender Jimmy Howard has reportedly made the decision to call it a career after 543 career NHL games, all spent with Detroit.
And according to a report, he turned down an invitation to extend his career from an old friend.
Edmonton Oilers general manager Ken Holland, who spent decades in Detroit and also drafted Howard out of Maine in 2003, reportedly contacted Howard after Oilers starter Mike Smith was placed on long term injured reserve.
However, Howard politely declined, stating that he’s happy at the start of his retirement.
.@FriedgeHNIC said that Ken Holland reached out to Jimmy Howard, but Howard is happy with his family and is coaching minor hockey. He's not going to help the Oilers, he's going to retire in the next couple of days.
— George Malik (@georgemalik) January 17, 2021
Howard’s 246 career victories are third-most in team history, behind Chris Osgood and Terry Sawchuk, respectively.
