Joe Pavelski (Photo by Isaiah Vazquez/Getty Images)
Joe Pavelski is not coming back to the ice.
The former 18-year NHL veteran established himself as one of the greatest American hockey players of all time during his years with the San Jose Sharks and Dallas Stars. During his time in the league, Pavelski was named to the All-Star Game four times and reached the Stanley Cup Final on two occasions.
While he had the itch to return this season—he retired after the 2023-24 season—he says his NHL career is officially over.
“I’m done for good,” says Pavelski in a one-on-one interview with RG. “There is definitely a little urge in the mind. I think closer to the trade deadline, it was just the thoughts. You knew they were going to come, you knew they were going to kind of happen. The conversations just happened quickly. It was a moment. I think I always want another crack at it. You always think you could do more.
“Some people are like, ‘You got out of the game one year too early,’” says Pavelski. “If I had stayed, I would still be questioning, ‘Am I getting out one year too early?’ That would always be there.”
Pavelski spent the last five years of his career with the Stars, leading the franchise on deep playoff runs in nearly every season. In fact, they advanced to at least the conference finals in three of his five seasons in Dallas.
The Stars even brought back Pavelski’s former coach with the Sharks, Peter DeBoer, for his final two seasons.
However, the Stars were never able to finish the job, and Pavelski ended his great career without a ring.
Transitioning to Life Off the Ice
“I’ve enjoyed my time kind of away from the game and following the guys and kind of just watching from a distance and having little conversations here and there. And then I’ve jumped into coaching my son’s team,” says Pavelski. “I was able to stop by the University of Wisconsin Badgers hockey team once a week when I was around. I’ve been around the game a little bit and coaching, and been around some good people in hockey. So you get a little bit of the locker room sense, which helps ease the transition. And then I’ve just really enjoyed my hobbies.”
The results remained the same in the year following Pavelski’s retirement, with the Stars’ season again ending in the Western Conference finals—despite the addition of All-Star Mikko Rantanen. Dallas had entered the playoffs as a Stanley Cup favorite, only to fall short once more.
“It’s just such a thin line, and you need guys stepping up,” says Pavelski on what the Stars need to do to get over the hump. “It’s hard to give a clear answer on it. Everyone’s got to find a little bit more. Got a great group of guys, high-character guys, really enjoyed my time there and always believed we could get it done. Ultimately came up a little short. The team is there, the pieces are there, and it’s just razor thin at that time.”
Pavelski was a consistent playoff performer, missing the postseason only twice in his NHL career. He helped make the Sharks a Stanley Cup contender and served as the team’s captain.
He says when you go deep into the playoffs, there aren’t many secrets left.
“You’re scratching your head at the end, and you’re kind of like, ‘I wish we would have done more.’ I think what it comes down to is the locker room at the end of the day.”
The Stars fired DeBoer after three seasons of coming up just short of the Stanley Cup Final. DeBoer coached Pavelski for four seasons in San Jose, leading them to the Stanley Cup Final in 2016.
“I love Pete,” says Pavelski. “I really enjoyed my four years with him in San Jose, and I enjoyed my couple years in Dallas with him. Obviously, the last couple of years of my career there, it was a ton of fun with the group of guys we had and the staff we had. I really enjoyed my time going to battle with all those guys, and it was just time for a change, I guess. They had a ton of accomplishments and a lot of good hockey that was played over the last three years. Tons of credit to everyone in that organization. They always wanted to end in a better way if possible and never quite got it done.”
Chasing Titles on the Golf Course
While his hockey career may be over, his sporting career isn’t. Pavelski—who has been a golfer since he was 8 years old—will be participating once again in the American Century Championship, the biggest celebrity golf tournament in the U.S.
The event, which began in 1990, takes place at Lake Tahoe and features more than 80 celebrities and athletes, including Steph Curry, John Elway, Travis Kelce, Josh Allen and Aaron Rodgers.
“I just absolutely love golf and love fishing and hunting, and it’s been great to be around Nate and Sarah and our family here,” says Pavelski. “It’s been pretty smooth, but there’s definitely been some ideas and some thoughts. How would that look like if it did happen? But no, I’m fully done now—when it comes to my hockey career.”
There is $750,000 in prize money at stake. Pavelski has participated in the tournament eight times, finishing second last year and placing in the top three on three occasions.
DJ Siddiqi is a sports reporter who focuses on football, basketball and pro wrestling. He has covered some of the biggest sporting events, including the NBA Finals and Wrestlemania and often interviews high-profile athletes on a weekly basis. Siddiqi has interviewed the likes of Dan Marino, Emmitt Smith, Shaquille O'Neal, Tony Hawk and Giannis Antetokounmpo. His previous experience includes working as a lead NBA writer at CBS Sports and 247 Sports in addition to working as a beat reporter covering the NFL and the Denver Broncos at Bleacher Report. Follow Siddiqi for exclusive one-on-one interviews and analysis on key topics in sports
