On Thursday, Marian Gaborik, the first bona fide Minnesota Wild superstar and one of the best Slovakian-born players of all time, hung up the skates. The Wild's 2000 third-overall selection officially announced his retirement after a 17-year career in the NHL, one filled with unforgettable moments and frustrating injuries, but ultimately culminating in every player's dream - hoisting Lord Stanley's Cup, as he did in 2014.
The three-time all-star finishes his pro career with 815 points (407 goals and 408 assists) in 1035 games. Gaborik hadn't played hockey since being traded to the Ottawa Senators in February of 2018 when he had surgery to repair a herniated disc in April of that year.