An emotional Barret Jackman makes his remarks at the Scottrade Center in St. Louis on October 4, 2016. Photo by Bill Greenblatt/UPI
Barret Jackman announced his retirement Tuesday afternoon during a press conference at Scottrade Center, after he signed a one-day contract to officially leave the game as a St. Louis Blues. Jackman spent all but one year in St. Louis. Last season, Jackman was a member of the Nashville Predators.
“For me, I grew up wearing the Blue Note,” Jackman told stlouisblues.com. “I came into the League at 18, got drafted, threw that jersey on and moved from Canada down to St. Louis. I met my wife, had my kids – and I did all that with the Blue Note on.”
Jackman ranks second on the Blues’ all-time games played list with 803 regular-season games, trailing only Bernie Federko (927).
Listen to his retirement speech (6:00)
Former St. Louis Blues Barret Jackman (C) stands with current and former members of the team after announcing his retirement at the Scottrade Center in St. Louis on October 4, 2016. Jackman played 14 years in the NHL, 13 of those years as a St. Louis Blue and last year as a member of the Nashville Predators. Drafted in the 1999 draft, Jackman played in over 800 games as a Blue. Photo by Bill Greenblatt/UPI
Barret Jackman (L) receives a hug from St. Louis Blues Ryan Reeves after announcing his retiirement at the Scottrade Center in St. Louis on October 4, 2016. Jackman played 14 years in the NHL, 13 of those years as a St. Louis Blue and last year as a member of the Nashville Predators. Drafted in the 1999 draft, Jackman played in over 800 games as a Blue. Photo by Bill Greenblatt/UPI
Former St. Louis Blues players Barret Jackman (R) and Hockey Hall of Fame member Al MacInnis, arrive for the Jackman retirement ceremony at the Scottrade Center in St. Louis on October 4, 2016. Jackman played 14 years in the NHL, 13 of those years as a St. Louis Blue and last year as a member of the Nashville Predators. Drafted in the 1999 draft, Jackman played in over 800 games as a Blue. Photo by Bill Greenblatt/UPI
Former St. Louis Blues player and member of the Hockey Hall of Fame Wayne Gretsky, arrives for the retirement announcement of former teammate Barret Jackman at the Scottrade Center in St. Louis on October 4, 2016. Jackman played 14 years in the NHL, 13 of those years as a St. Louis Blue and last year as a member of the Nashville Predators. Drafted in the 1999 draft, Jackman played in over 800 games as a Blue. Photo by Bill Greenblatt/UPI
Former St. Louis Blues players (L to R) Kelly Chase, Brett Hull and Wayne Gretsky arrive for the Barret Jackman retirement announcement at the Scottrade Center in St. Louis on October 4, 2016. Jackman played 14 years in the NHL, 13 of those years as a St. Louis Blue and last year as a member of the Nashville Predators. Drafted in the 1999 draft, Jackman played in over 800 games as a Blue. Photo by Bill Greenblatt/UPI
Barret Jackman (R) receives a handshake from General Manager Doug Armstrong after signing a one-day contract so he may retire as a St. Louis Blue at the Scottrade Center in St. Louis on October 4, 2016. Jackman played 14 years in the NHL, 13 of those years as a St. Louis Blue and last year as a member of the Nashville Predators. Drafted in the 1999 draft, Jackman played in over 800 games as a Blue. Photo by Bill Greenblatt/UPI
Barret Jackman (L) is congratulated by St. Louis Blues Vladimir Tarasenko after Jackman announced his retirement from the NHL at the Scottrade Center in St. Louis on October 4, 2016. Jackman played 14 years in the NHL, 13 of those years as a St. Louis Blue and last year as a member of the Nashville Predators. Drafted in the 1999 draft, Jackman played in over 800 games as a Blue. Photo by Bill Greenblatt/UPI
Former St. Louis Blues Barret Jackman talks with friends after annoucing his retirement after 14 seasons in the NHL, at the Scottrade Center in St. Louis on October 4, 2016. Jackman played 14 years in the NHL, 13 of those years as a St. Louis Blue and last year as a member of the Nashville Predators. Drafted in the 1999 draft, Jackman played in over 800 games as a Blue. Photo by Bill Greenblatt/UPI
St. Louis Blues defenseman Jay Bouwmeester (R) is one of the current members to line up to say hello to former player Barret Jackman on his retirement announcement at the Scottrade Center in St. Louis on October 4, 2016. Jackman played 14 years in the NHL, 13 of those years as a St. Louis Blue and last year as a member of the Nashville Predators. Drafted in the 1999 draft, Jackman played in over 800 games as a Blue. Photo by Bill Greenblatt/UPI