Andrew Cogliano, Mr. Durability hangs it up after 17 seasons

The most prominent recent news is the retirement announcement of Colorado Avalanche winger Andrew Cogliano. After 17 seasons, he decided to step away from the game, and still be a part of it simultaneously. Upon his playing career being over, he now shifts to the front office for the Avalanche. How cool is that?

Cogliano was slated to become a free agent this offseason, and he was one of many big question marks remaining in the summer debate of who stays and who goes. His retirement certainly gives the Avs an easier decision, but it leaves a large hole in both this roster and fan base. He was a fan favorite and held a significant leadership role while Captain Gabriel Landeskog has been out due to injury over the past two seasons.

Let's look back on his storied career, and how he used his longevity and durability to stand tall above the rest.

This is a crazy stat to hold in any professional sport, let alone one of the toughest on the planet. Cogliano only missed 27 games in all 17 years of his career. That is pure heart and dedication to the game. Not to mention, he is listed at 5-10, 179 lbs, which means that he took his bumps and bruises from opposing brutes and just shrugged them off to make it to the next game.

Cogliano was drafted by the Edmonton Oilers in the first round of the 2005 NHL Entry Draft. He eventually made his way to playing with the Anaheim Ducks, Dallas Stars, San Jose Sharks, and the Colorado Avalanche. Throughout the journey, he played in 1,294 games, racked up 190 goals and 274 assists and eventually won the Stanley Cup in Colorado as a part of the 2021-22 squad.

His career now shifts to the front office, in a role likely to be announced by the team in the coming weeks. He has spent his final years in Colorado, and it makes complete sense why he would want to stay with the team he has helped lead over the past three seasons. For now, it is congratulations on an incredible playing career. But it will soon become, ”we are counting on you to make the right decision in your new role.”