### Jesper Fast Announces Retirement from NHL

RALEIGH, N.C. - Longtime NHL right wing Jesper Fast has officially announced his retirement from professional hockey today. Fast expressed deep gratitude for his time in the league, extending thanks to his teammates, coaches, staff, fans, and family for their continuous support throughout his career.

"I never took for granted the privilege of playing in the best league in the world," said Fast. "I am grateful for all of the teammates, coaches, staff and fans from the Rangers and Hurricanes who made my time in the NHL so special, and for my family for everything they did to help me achieve and live my dream. I'd also like to thank Nässjö HC and HV71, organizations that played a vital role in my development into an NHL player."

At 33 years old, the Nassjo, Sweden native concludes his career with an impressive tally of 703 regular-season games over 11 seasons. Fast accumulated a total of 91 goals and 157 assists, finishing with 248 points and a plus-41 plus/minus rating. He also made significant playoff contributions, appearing in 80 Stanley Cup playoff games, earning 14 goals and 13 assists, with a plus-5 rating.

Selected by the New York Rangers in the sixth round of the 2010 NHL Draft, Fast debuted in the league by earning his first NHL point with an assist on April 17, 2014, during the Eastern Conference Quarterfinal against Philadelphia. He later scored his first NHL goal on November 29, 2014, also against Philadelphia. Fast served as the Rangers' alternate captain from 2017 to 2020 and was honored with the Rangers' Players' Player Award five times between 2015 and 2020.

Fast joined the Carolina Hurricanes as a free agent on October 20, 2020. He set career highs in the 2021-22 season, playing 82 games, scoring 14 goals, and racking up 34 points with a plus-24 plus/minus rating. His exemplary performance and dedication earned him the Steve Chiasson Award for inspiring his teammates through his approach to the game.

In the 2023 playoffs, Jesper Fast continued to make his mark by scoring multiple overtime winners, becoming the fourth player in franchise history to do so in a single postseason. He achieved his 200th career NHL point on April 24, 2022, against the Islanders and reached his 700th career game milestone on April 9, 2024, in Boston. Unfortunately, Fast's career was cut short when he missed the entire 2024-25 season due to a neck injury sustained in Carolina's regular-season finale against the Columbus Blue Jackets on April 16, 2024.

Fast’s contribution to hockey, including key playoff performances and leadership on and off the ice, will be remembered fondly by both New York and Carolina fans.