Thank You, Brent Seabrook
Brent Seabrook is calling it a career. Ongoing health issues have kept him from joining the Blackhawks this season and, after 15 incredible years, he’s hanging up his skates.
Seabrook will forever be one of the all-time best defensemen to wear the Indian head. He was a warrior who was critical to the resurrection of the franchise and three Stanley Cup championships.
Chicago selected Seabrook with the 14th overall pick in the legendary 2003 NHL Draft. He retires ranking fifth in the draft class in games played (1,114) behind only Eric Staal, Dustin Brown, Ryan Suter and Brent Burns. The only defenseman to appear in more games for the Chicago Blackhawks is Duncan Keith.
Between his NHL debut in 2005 and his final game in 2019, Seabrook established himself as a Hall of Fame caliber player whose resume should have him inducted in the not-too distant future.
Seabrook joined a terrible team with Keith at his side. The two young defensemen were the cornerstones of the organization’s turnaround, providing stability on the back end as the team tried build a roster that could compete.
In 2010, Seabrook joined Keith and Jonathan Toews on a legendary Canadian Olympic roster. That team won gold.
Later that year, Seabrook was a critical part of the Blackhawks ending the franchise’s Stanley Cup drought. He had 11 points in 22 postseason games with an “A” on his chest.
The “A” he wore was fitting. Seabrook was always one of the key leaders for the Blackhawks. In 2013, his conversation with Toews as the Hawks’ captain headed to the penalty box against the Red Wings changed the trajectory of that postseason. The Blackhawks would win that series and become a dynasty.
On May 29, 2013, Seabrook ripped home one of the iconic goals in the history of the franchise.
That overtime game and series-winning goal capped an incredible series between two rivals. Seabrook was in the middle of the celebration, where he deserved to be every time this era of Blackhawks teams raised their sticks in joy.
Seabrook appeared in 123 career postseason games for the Hawks. He was one of the best postseason performers the organization has ever seen.
In the history of the Blackhawks, Seabrook’s numbers are among the best. Among all-time Chicago defensemen, Seabrook ranks:
- 2nd in game-winning goals (19) – Doug Wilson (22)
- 2nd in games played (1,114) – Keith
- 3rd in goals (103) – Wilson (225), Bob Murray (132)
- 3rd in powerplay goals (38) – Wilson (80), Murray (48)
- 6th in assists (361)
- 6th in points (464)
In the history of the Blackhawks, Seabrook’s postseason resume stacks up among the greatest. Obviously the expanded playoffs have helped build a longer resume than players in previous decades could have built, but Seabrook is at/near the top of almost every playoff category as well. In the postseason, Seabrook ranks:
- 1st in goals (20)
- 3rd in games played (123) – Keith and Hjalmarsson
- 3rd in game-winning goals (3) – Keith and Chelios
- 4th in assists (39) – Keith, Wilson, Pilote
- 4th in points (59) – Keith, Wilson Pilote
You’ll notice that most of the names in front of Seabrook on these lists are Hall of Famers. Pierre Pilote, Doug Wilson and Chris Chelios have already been inducted. Eventually, Keith will be as well. Seabrook should join them.
Indeed, I predict that some day Seabrook’s #7 will hang from the rafters at the United Center. Maybe he’ll share the honor with Chelios, maybe he’ll own the distinction on his own.
Over the past few years as Seabrook played through pain, fans happily complained about his impact on the salary cap. His play had diminished over the years because of the physical style of play he brought to the ice, and ultimately it was that physical toll that has ended his career.
There haven’t been many leaders in the NHL over the past 20 years to have made as significant an impact on his franchise as Seabrook did with the Chicago Blackhawks. We – the fans – have been incredibly fortunate to have him on our team.
Thank you, Brent Seabrook. You’ve been more than we could have asked for as a player, a leader and an ambassador of the organization.
Great career, great leader. Father Time remains undefeated.
One of the Best D men the Hawks have ever had….Top in the league from 2009-2015…..too bad he did not get the recognition he deserved. Stay healthy and enjoy retirement….perhaps he can be a consultant like Campbell for D prospects ??
Now….what to do with the remaining salary ?? Another trade his contract with one of our top prospects Stan ?? We have seen that story before haven’t we. Plus we also have Shaw and his contract too….will he be hanging it up as well ??
Great career Seabs. My favorite Blackhawk this last decade. I’m guessing he ends up behind the bench somewhere. I would like to see him get into the HOF eventually. Not many players with multiple rings and his kind of stats are left out.
Great recap and tribute to #7.
Thank you isn’t enough.
That is all I can say right now.
#Respect7
#Retire7
#FruitAndCrap
#Nachos
Before this announcement, I was thinking about how bad the Rockford Icehogs have been playing. I thought that Seabrook would be a good coach. But, he was still with the team. With this sorrowful announcement, it does open the door for him to continue with the game, for the team, in another capacity. Coach Seabrook.
In many ways Seebs was as much or more the captain than Toews: his playoff goals were usually game and series changers esp OT vs DET and BOS.
He will be a great coach if he wants. I’d lock him up now if I were hawks: this young team and coach would benefit a lot to have his help.
If nothing else, he was and is one of the great ambassadors for the hawks and the game. If I had a son, I’d like him to be and act like Brent Seabrook.
Thanks Seabs
Brent will be missed and a big thank you to him for putting his body on the line for so long and playing hurt. One thing for certain he was one of the Black Hawks best defense men come playoff time. Delivered the big timely hits ( blues) and the big goals from the point and cant forget his lecture to the Captain in Detroit. Thank you, a true old school professional . . .
My guess is they retire #7 for Chelios and Seabrook. Nobody else needs to be wearing that number any longer.
Brent ……. you are my hero !
Nice tribute Tab, he’ll never be forgotten, rose to every occasion and remained classy.
Subban in net tonight…
Go young Hawks Go
Thanks Seabs! A Chicago legend!!
Great tribute Tab. My sentiments exactly!
Seabrook and Keith. What a pair. Wow!
I hope he stays in the organization. I totally agree that if he so desires, he could also end up as one the finest coaches in Blackhawks history. Love his game, his grit, his passion. We are lucky to have witnessed it all! All the Best, Seabs! And thank you!!
Thank you, Seabs! Your dedication, grit and leadership will be a part of Hawks lore forever!
I hope he stays in the organization. He would look awfully good behind the bench as an assistant. You think he’d get the attention of the young D-men on this team? Seems like a no-brainer to me. Lift that #7 sweater to the rafters.
Thank you Seabs! Your dedication, grit, heart and leadership will be a part of Blackhawks lore forever!
Would love to see him behind our bench as an assistant, and perhaps even head coach some day. You think he would have the attention of the young D-men on this team? Seems like a no-brainer to me.
And lift the #7 sweater to the rafters!
Thank you, Seabs! Your dedication, grit, heart and leadership with be a part of Blackhawks lore forever!
Would love to see him behind our bench as an assistant, and perhaps a head coach some day. You think he would have the attention of the young D-men on this team? Seems like a no-brainer to me.
And please life that #7 sweater to the rafters!
Thank you, Seabs! Your dedication, grit, heart and leadership will be a part of Blackhawks lore forever!
Would love to see him behind our bench as an assistant, and perhaps a head coach some day. You think he would have the attention of the young D-men on this team? Seems like a no-brainer to me.
And please lift that #7 sweater to the rafters!
Thank you, Tab, and thank you, Brent Seabrook. A great tribute to a fantastic player and person. The statistics alone would speak huge volumes, but we all know the other things he brought to the team that were just as important. There are no accolades the Blackhawks could lay upon him that would be too great. His number should be raised to the rafters, along with other greats of his era with the Blackhawks.
Sorry for the duplicate posts. Ooops!
i have been a seabrook fan ever since he started playing for the hawks 15 great yrs. sorry to see him retire , the defence man the ever had #7 forever One of the Best D men the Hawks have ever had….Top in the league from 2009-2015…..too bad he did not get the recognition he deserved. Stay healthy and enjoy retirement
Amen, well said tab. The memories that will stick are 2 and 7 rolling night in and out against the other teams best line. One of the more underrated defensemen of the past 20 years, nobody gave more nor led more. True warrior.
True captain
Beaudin …2 games played… 6 assists .
Happy…yess
But not really surprised .
The kid is playing a lot with Rockford.exactly what he need.
Sorry…3 games played.
Nicely done as always Tab.
Very fortunate to see a class act for his entire career in da Indianhead.
Enjoy retirement & quality of life #7
It was Bolland who made the hit that freed up for Seabs . Im glad Seabs scored that goal , he was the soul of that team !
Oh the memories!!! Great career, great guy, great and timely goals and of course great hits (wakey wakey Backes)!!! THE best and most effective hit of any Blackhawk ever!! Changed that series. End of an era and future first ballot HOF.