Ryan Kesler Understands that his Impactful Career is Over

LIVONIA, MI – Ryan Kesler is still recovering from resurfacing surgery on his left hip in February and said he understands he’ll never play in the NHL again.

The 37-year-old also had resurfacing surgery on his right hip May 9, 2019.

“I tried coming back on my first hip and I was working hard rehabbing and skating, and then my other hip went and blocked all my momentum,” Kesler said Monday. “And to be honest, I’m still a far way away to even coming close. I don’t think I’ll ever get to an NHL level again. I’m just hoping to get to a level that I’m happy at.”

Kesler played 15 seasons in the NHL with the Vancouver Canucks and Anaheim Ducks but has not played since March 6, 2019, for Anaheim against the St. Louis Blues. He has one season remaining on the six-year contract he signed with the Ducks on July 15, 2015.

 

After Lengthy Recovery from Hip Surgery, Duck’s Kesler Set to Make Season Debut

ANAHEIM, CA – After months of rehabilitation, countless hours of skating and pushing his body to the limit, Ryan Kesler is ready.

Anaheim’s perennial shutdown center is expected to make his season debut tonight after undergoing hip surgery in June. This morning he skated alongside Andrew Cogliano and Chris Wagner at Honda Center as the Ducks prepare for the Vegas Golden Knights.

It has been a long road back for the 33-year-old Livonia, Michigan native, who says he had to re-learn how to walk at one point during his recovery process. “There have been a lot of challenges,” he said today. “Being on crutches for 14 weeks was one of them. Guys tell me I walked with a limp for three years. Just skating and getting my stride back. I feel better out there now than I did five years ago. It was a much-needed surgery and I’m glad I did it.”

 

In First Year Of New Deal, Kesler Has Been The Ducks’ MVP

When Ryan Kesler inked his six-year, $41.25-million contract extension with the Anaheim Ducks, the deal was roundly derided. Six more years for a 31-year-old pivot whose style of play dictated that has his best years were likely behind him? There was no way it would work out favorably for the Ducks, and certainly not when Anaheim should be focusing more on its future than its present with an aging star duo up front.