On Monday, Vegas Golden Knights defenceman Alex Pietrangelo and Golden Knights general manager Kelly McCrimmon issued statements on Monday regarding Pietrangelo’s health. The statements offer an insight into Pietrangelo’s future.
Pietrangelo Injury Update
Vegas Golden Knights Provide Update on Defenseman Alex Pietrangelo #VegasBorn
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— Vegas Golden Knights (@GoldenKnights) July 1, 2025
It was reported on Sunday that Pietrangelo was likely to miss the entire 2025-26 season and possibly more. The statements made by Pietrangelo and McCrimmon paint a clearer, yet unfortunate, picture.
Pietrangelo’s Statement
“The past few years have been very challenging on my physical well-being, and I am in a difficult position with my overall playing health,” said Pietrangelo. “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. This decision has been difficult to come to terms with after the last 17 years of competition and the camaraderie with my teammates and coaches. 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.”
McCrimmon’s Statement
“Alex has our organization’s full support in prioritizing his long-term health and quality of life,” said McCrimmon. “Alex is dealing with hips that would require bilateral femur reconstruction, with no guarantee of success. Throughout the season, the steps that Alex needed to take to be able to play and practice began to grow and take a significant toll on his body. Our hope in February during the NHL’s break for the 4 Nations Face-Off was to give Alex treatment and rest to help provide relief, but instead, what we found were diminished positive results and a process that is no longer sustainable moving forward.”
“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. 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. Today’s decision is a difficult one for both Alex and the Golden Knights, but it is being made for the right reasons – so that Alex can be the family man we all know him to be.”
What Does This Mean?
We may have seen Pietrangelo play his is last NHL game. While he will likely remain on long-term injured reserve for the final two seasons of his contract, it seems the odds of him returning to the ice are slim to none.
If this is the end, Pietrangelo ends his career with 1,087 games played and 637 points. The defenceman is also a three-time All-Star as well as a two-time Stanley Cup Champion.
Two Teams and Their First Stanley Cup
Perhaps the biggest accomplishment of Pietrangelo’s 17-year career is helping two teams win their first Stanley Cup. In 2019 as the captain of the St. Louis Blues, Pietrangelo helped the team win their first Stanley Cup in 2019. Furthermore, Pietrangelo scored the Cup-winning goal in Game 7.
After joining the Golden Knights in 2020, Pietrangelo helped the team win their first Stanley Cup in 2023.
Main Photo: Stephen R. Sylvanie- Imagn Images
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