Defenseman John Klingberg has retired after 12 NHL seasons, ending a 700-game career with 443 points and two Stanley Cup Final appearances.
Veteran defenseman John Klingberg announced his retirement from professional hockey Friday, bringing an end to a 12-season NHL career that included 700 regular-season games across six franchises. The 34-year-old Swedish star finished his career with 92 goals, 351 assists and 443 points, while also recording 43 points on nine goals and 34 assists in 82 Stanley Cup Playoff games.
Klingberg was selected by the Dallas Stars in the fifth round, No. 131 overall, of the 2010 NHL Draft. After beginning his professional career with Frolunda HC in Sweden, he made the move to North America for the 2014-15 season. He immediately became an offensive contributor, compiling 40 points through 65 games on 11 goals and 29 assists. That performance earned him a spot on the NHL All-Rookie Team.
Dallas remained Klingberg’s home for his first eight NHL seasons, during which he appeared in 552 games. He finished his Stars tenure with 374 points and 303 assists, figures that rank third among Dallas/Minnesota North Stars defensemen in franchise history. His 71 goals are tied for fourth among defensemen in that history.
Klingberg reached his highest single-season scoring total in 2017-18, when he played all 82 games and produced 67 points, including eight goals and 59 assists. He also participated in the 2018 NHL All-Star Game and finished sixth in Norris Trophy voting for the 2015-16 season.
His postseason career included 82 games and two trips to the Stanley Cup Final. In 2020, Klingberg collected 21 points in 26 playoff games as Dallas reached the Final before losing to the Tampa Bay Lightning in six games. With the Edmonton Oilers in 2025, he reached the Final again, with the Oilers falling to the Florida Panthers in six games.
After leaving the Stars in 2022, Klingberg played for the Anaheim Ducks, Minnesota Wild, Toronto Maple Leafs, Oilers and San Jose Sharks. Injuries became problematic later in his career, including a hip injury with the Maple Leafs that ended his season.
Klingberg concluded his NHL career with the Sharks, where he garnered 27 points, including 10 goals and 17 assists, in 56 games. He also represented Sweden at four IIHF Men’s World Championships and won gold medals in 2017 and 2018, including a six-point performance in 10 games during the 2018 tournament.
Veteran defenseman John Klingberg announced his retirement from professional hockey Friday, bringing an end to a 12-season NHL career that included 700 regular-season games across six franchises. The 34-year-old Swedish star finished his career with 92 goals, 351 assists and 443 points, while also recording 43 points on nine goals and 34 assists in 82 Stanley Cup Playoff games.