Longtime NHL forward Joonas Donskoi retires at age 31 due to concussions

Joonas Donskoi, who last played in the NHL with the Seattle Kraken during the 2021–22 regular season, announced his retirement from professional hockey on Sunday evening.

The 31-year-old appeared in 474 NHL games over seven full seasons with the San Jose Sharks, Colorado Avalanche, and Kraken between 2015–16 and 2021–22.

Donskoi did not play with the Kraken in 2022–23 after suffering a concussion in the 2022 preseason. He earned $3.9 million while remaining on Seattle’s injured reserve list for the entire season.

“After suffering multiple concussions over my career I’ve decided to retire from professional hockey,” Donskoi wrote in a statement published to Instagram on Sunday. “It is extremely hard to let go of something have put your whole life into, but at this point I know it’s the right decision for my own well being and future.

“I got to live my dream of being an NHL player, which I’m extremely blessed and grateful for,” Donskoi continued. “I think I was able to reach my own potential, which was always my biggest goal.”

Via Instagram, Joonas Donskoi — who played 474 NHL games for San Jose, Colorado & Seattle — announces his retirement. Donskoi suffered a concussion in the 2022-23 preseason and did not play in the regular season. pic.twitter.com/1L9lK9j5dT

— Elliotte Friedman (@FriedgeHNIC) August 28, 2023

Donskoi’s teams reached the playoffs in each of his first six NHL seasons. He appeared in 69 postseason contests with the Sharks and Avalanche, collecting 15 goals and 32 points.

The Florida Panthers originally selected Donskoi in the fourth round (No. 99 overall) of the 2010 NHL Draft, but he never signed with the team. Donskoi joined the Sharks before the 2015–16 season and appeared in 24 playoff games as a rookie during the club’s run to the Stanley Cup Final, which they lost to the Pittsburgh Penguins in six games.

Donskoi spent four seasons in San Jose before signing a four-year contract with the Avalanche as an unrestricted free agent in 2019. He played two seasons in Colorado and helped the team win the Presidents’ Trophy in 2021 before being selected by the Kraken in that year’s NHL Expansion Draft.

In his lone season with the Kraken, Donskoi finished 10th among the team’s forward group with 22 points (two goals, 20 assists) in 75 games. The Kraken did not qualify for the playoffs in their inaugural campaign.

“Thank you San Jose Sharks, Colorado Avalanche and Seattle Kraken,” Donskoi wrote. “It was an honor to be part of these 3 world class organizations, cities and fanbases. To all my teammates, coaches, trainers, doctors, front offices, and fans: thank you for the best years of my life. I met so many people and lifelong friends, on and off the ice.”