NEW YORK (AP) New York Rangers defenseman Kevin Klein has retired after playing parts of 12 seasons in the NHL.
The Rangers announced the retirement of the 32-year-old on Friday.
Klein played in 627 career NHL games with the Rangers and Nashville Predators, totaling 38 goals and 116 assists. He made his NHL debut with the Predators on Dec. 3, 2005, 10 days shy of his 21st birthday.
The Rangers acquired him on Jan. 22, 2014, and he skated in 224 regular season games, registering 22 goals and 50 assists, along with a plus-49 rating. During his tenure in New York, Klein led Rangers defensemen in even strength goals (22) and game-winning goals (eight).
Klein was bothered by back spasms this past season and had three goals and 11 assists in 60 regular-season games. He played in one of the Rangers’ 12 playoffs games and had an assist.
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