Blackhawks: Congratulations Corey Crawford on a great career

Former Chicago Blackhawks goalie Corey Crawford has retired from the NHL.

The Chicago Blackhawks would be without Corey Crawford this season as he signed with the New Jersey Devils earlier this offseason. However, he has changed his mind and will now enter retirement at the age of 36.

Crawford has dealt with some concussion issues in the past, so his decision to retire is not the biggest surprise. He leaves the NHL a two time Stanley Cup Champion with a record of 260-162-53 over the course of his career and a playoff record of 52-42.

The Blackhawks are lucky they had Corey Crawford when they did as he was the backstop of the team during some excellent hockey. Without Crow, Chicago would not have won three Stanley Cups in six seasons.

Obviously, Crawford was not apart of the team during 2010, but the next season on, he made the Blackhawks better on the ice and constantly covered the team’s poor play in front of him. Being offensively gifted as a team only gets an organization so far when the goaltending is lackluster. Crawford was always top-notch.

Crawford has this to say in a statement from NHL.com.

"I would like to thank the Chicago Blackhawks organization for giving me the chance to live my childhood dream. I am proud to have been part of winning two Stanley Cups in Chicago. Thank you to all of my teammates and coaches throughout the years."

Crawford has always been one of the most underrated goalies in hockey, in my opinion. Even when the Blackhawks were great, Crawford was rarely apart of the conversation regarding who the best goalies in hockey were.

More so than any other player, Blackhawks fans were always judgmental of Crawford’s play, and he took a little too much blame, in my opinion. Drafted in the second round of the 2003 NHL draft, Crawford now leaves the NHL having only played for one team, the Chicago Blackhawks.

Personally, I believe the Blackhawks will have to retire number 50. Being a critical member of the Blackhawks’ core while they were winning championships earns him that spot, and the fact that he is third in wins and was one of the best goalies in Blackhawks history.

With Crow calling it a career, the number of members from Chicago’s early Toews and Kane era still in the NHL is slimming. Crawford joins players like Hossa and Sharp in retirement. Hopefully, we will see Crow back in the United Center soon for a reunion!

Congratulations to Corey Crawford on a great career, and have a great retirement!