St. Louis fans will get a chance to say goodbye to Keith Tkachuk tonight when the Blues play their home finale at Scottrade Center against the Anaheim Ducks.
Tkachuk officially announced Wednesday that he is retiring following the end of the season, which, unfortunately for the Blues, will not include a playoff run.
The Melrose, Mass., native has played in 1,200 career games and 542 have come as a member of the Blues. Tkachuk, 38, is considered to be one of the best power forwards of his generation, notching 1,063 points on 538 goals and 525 assists to go along with 2,219 penalty minutes. He has 13 goals and 17 assists in 66 games this season.
"I have been privileged to have a long career in this terrific league and play for first class organizations," said Tkachuk in a press release announcing his retirement.
Tkachuk was drafted by Winnipeg in the first round of the 1990 draft and remained with the Winnipeg/Phoenix franchise until getting dealt to St. Louis during the 2000-01 season. He would spend the remainder of his career with the Blues, save for an 18-game stint with Atlanta at the end of the 2006-07 campaign.
The Blues will honour Tkachuk following Friday's game before he calls it a career after Saturday's season-finale in Nashville.
