Wideman has high praise for Habs after retiring
Defenceman Chris Wideman made it official on Tuesday morning: He is retiring as an NHL player.
The 34-year-old missed all of last season with the Canadiens because of a back injury.
“After much thought, I have decided it is best for my health and my family to retire from playing hockey professionally,” Wideman said in a statement released by the Canadiens. “I made numerous attempts at rehabilitation, therapy and many different treatments, but eventually it became apparent that returning to the game I love would not be possible.
“While this is a difficult day for me, it is also a day of reflection and gratitude,” Wideman added. “I am incredibly grateful to have had the opportunity to live out my childhood dream of playing in the National Hockey League.”
The St. Louis native played 291 games in the NHL with the Ottawa Senators, Florida Panthers, Edmonton Oilers and the Canadiens, posting 20-58-78 totals.
Wideman was caught in an unfortunate circumstance early in the 2018-19 season while playing for the Ottawa Senators when he and six teammates were secretly videotaped during an Uber ride in Phoenix while ranting against assistant coach Martin Raymond and the team's struggles on special teams. Shortly after the video was made public, Wideman was traded to the Edmonton Oilers.
Wideman ended up in Russia for the 2020-21 season, posting 9-32-41 totals in 59 games with the Nizhny Novgorod Torpedo to lead all KHL defencemen in scoring.
The Canadiens signed Wideman to a one-year, US$750,000 contract in the summer of 2021 as a free agent. Wideman was reported to have been offered US$2 million to stay in Russia, but jumped at the opportunity to return to the NHL.
Wideman thanked former Canadiens assistant GM Scott Mellanby and his agent Allain Roy for “taking an interest in me and providing the opportunity to return to the NHL.”
Wideman also thanked Canadiens owner/president Geoff Molson and his wife, Kate, for giving him a second chance in the NHL.
“You both treat the players like family and make Montreal a special place to play,” Wideman said in his statement. "Jeff Gorton, Kent Hughes and Martin St. Louis gave me an opportunity to continue my career in Montreal until the end. I want to thank you all for changing my life for the better.”
Wideman was a popular player in the Canadiens locker-room, especially with the young defencemen. During an interview at the end of last season, Wideman had a message for young players on the Canadiens and also free agents who might have some interest in coming to Montreal in the future.
“This is a hockey market that is in my opinion not comparable to anything else in the league,” Wideman said. “I think it's truly one of the more unique experiences in all of sports. The fan support, the ownership, the staff, the group of young players here. You're getting in at the ground floor of something that I believe is truly special.
“I think that the future is extremely bright here.”