SAN JOSE, Calif. — Logan Couture dreamed of playing in the NHL since he was 3 years old, always carrying a stick.
After 15 seasons and over 1,000 games in the regular season and playoffs, Couture`s hockey career is over due to a serious injury that has kept him out for almost 15 months.
“My playing career is done,” Couture said Tuesday. `I can’t play anymore physically. It’s hard and it’s disappointing. But it is what it is. I loved every moment I played in this league. The NHL was everything I imagined as a kid.”
Couture’s impressive career with the San Jose Sharks ended sadly as he hasn`t been able to skate since January 2024. This led to his decision to stop trying to play, hoping his health improves so he can play with his children.
The 36-year-old Couture has only played six games since the 2023-24 season started due to osteitis pubis, a painful inflammation in the joint between the pubic bones.
Couture’s last NHL game was on January 31, 2024, and he said he never got close to returning to the ice with his team.
“The mental part is hard,” he said. `It’s like losing in the playoffs. Your season ends suddenly, and you don’t know what to do. But this is different because it’s physical. Some days I’m in a lot of pain. I can’t do much. I have two young kids, and I’ve had many thoughts. … But I’m okay now. I’ve accepted it after trying everything without success.”
His career had many highlights. He was known for performing in important moments, especially in the playoffs, nearly leading the Sharks to a Stanley Cup.
General manager Mike Grier called Couture “one of the greatest players” in Sharks history. His determination and desire to win made him captain for five seasons and earned him respect from teammates, who came to his announcement or sent video messages.
“Clutch goals and plays,” said longtime teammate Patrick Marleau. `When I think of Logan, I think of a complete player. Last minute of the game, wherever the faceoff is, he’s on the ice. Whether it’s in our zone, their zone, or neutral, he’s the guy who will compete and get it done.”
Couture has two years left on his eight-year, $64 million contract signed in July 2018, owing him $13 million. He won`t officially retire and will continue to be paid, counting $8 million against San Jose’s salary cap each season.
Couture missed the first 45 games last season due to injury, played six games in January, which worsened his condition, and has been out since, without playing or practicing.
Couture was a key player for San Jose and one of the last links to their successful period in the 2010s. He became captain at the start of the 2019-20 season.
He scored 323 goals and 378 assists in 933 games and was a playoff standout with 48 goals and 53 assists in 116 playoff games. He led the playoffs in goals in 2019 with 14, and in assists (20) and points (30) in 2016.
He remembers his best moments as scoring the empty-net goal to win the Western Conference Final against St. Louis, sending the Sharks to their first Stanley Cup Final, and the comeback from 3-0 down against Vegas in Game 7 in 2019.
“Like being in a nightclub next to the speakers for hours, then leaving and your ears are ringing, and you can’t hear anyone,” Couture said about the Vegas game night. “That’s what it was like between the third period and overtime.”
