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Blues defenseman Carl Gunnarsson retires after 12 seasons in an open letter

Jan 28, 2020; Calgary, Alberta, CAN; St. Louis Blues defenseman Carl Gunnarsson (4) against the Calgary Flames during the first period at Scotiabank Saddledome. Mandatory Credit: Sergei Belski-USA TODAY Sports

St. Louis Blues defenseman Carl Gunnarsson retired Wednesday after 12 seasons.

Drafted as a seventh-round long shot by Toronto in 2007, the 34-year-old Swede wound up playing 629 games with the Maple Leafs (2009-14) and Blues (2014-21). He won a Stanley Cup with St. Louis in 2019.

Gunnarsson announced his retirement in an open letter

One of the best times in my life was preceded by a year of struggle.