Veteran Goaltender Announces Retirement After 14-Year NHL Career

Tuesday, August 05, 2025 , , , ,
Dallas Stars goaltender Anton Khudobin reacts during 2022 game.

Veteran goaltender Anton Khudobin has officially retired from professional hockey after a 17-year career that spanned six NHL teams and a memorable playoff run with the Dallas Stars.

The 39-year-old Kazakhstani-Russian netminder appeared in 260 NHL games, finishing with a 114-92-33 record, 11 shutouts, a 2.52 goals-against average, and a .916 save percentage.

Khudobin’s Legacy: From Backup to Playoff Hero

Khudobin, drafted 206th overall by the Minnesota Wild in 2004, made his NHL debut in 2010 and later suited up for the Boston Bruins, Carolina Hurricanes, Anaheim Ducks, Dallas Stars, and Chicago Blackhawks. He spent parts of two seasons with the Hurricanes and delivered strong numbers in 70 games. 

But his defining moment came in 2020 when he led the Stars to the Stanley Cup Final during the pandemic "bubble" playoffs, going 14-10 with a .917 save percentage in 25 games. His iconic “We’re not going home!” declaration became a rallying cry for Dallas fans.

The Final Years and a Warm Farewell

Khudobin’s post-2020 career was hampered by hip surgery and inconsistent form. He bounced between the NHL and AHL before playing briefly in Russia. He last appeared in the NHL during the 2022-23 season with the Blackhawks. 

Though his career ended quietly, Khudobin remains a cult favorite, particularly in Dallas, where he made an unexpected run as the team’s starting goalie during their deepest playoff push in decades.

Photo Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images 

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