Former Canadiens, Senators defenceman Chris Wideman retires after six NHL seasons

By The Canadian Press on September 17, 2024.

Montreal Canadiens defenceman Chris Wideman (6) and Ottawa Senators defenceman Erik Brannstrom (26) look for the puck during NHL pre-season action in Bouctouche, N.B. on Saturday, Oct. 8, 2022. Former Canadiens and Senators defenceman Wideman announced he's retiring after six NHL seasons on Tuesday. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Ron Ward

MONTREAL – Former Montreal Canadiens and Ottawa Senators defenceman Chris Wideman announced he’s retiring after six NHL seasons on Tuesday.

Wideman spent his last three seasons under contract with the Canadiens, but did not play during the 2023-24 campaign due to a back injury.

The 34-year-old said in a letter released by the Canadiens that he made several attempts at rehabilitation and sought a variety of treatments before deciding to hang up his skates. He finishes his career with 20 goals and 58 assists in 291 games.

Wideman, a five-foot-10, 180-pound blueliner, started his NHL career with the Senators in 2015-16. He played parts of four seasons in the nation’s capital before he was traded in 2018-19 to the Edmonton Oilers, playing five games in Alberta before moving on to the Florida Panthers, Pittsburgh Penguins and Anaheim Ducks organizations.

During the 2020-21 season, he played in Russia’s Kontinental Hockey League and was named the league’s defenceman of the year.

Wideman returned to the NHL the following season and produced a career-best 27 points (four goals, 23 assists) in 64 games with the Canadiens.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Sept. 17, 2024.