After 19 pro seasons, the last 5 as captain of the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins, Tom Kostopoulos(29) decides it will be time to hang up the skates after the conclusion of the 2018 Calder Cup Playoffs.
Limited to 31 AHL in the current calendar, he managed another 5 goals and 14 assists, bringing his league totals up to an almost mind-numbing 722 games grabbing 211 goals and 329 assists with a +45 rating.
He also leaves with 630 NHL games to his record with six different teams.
It seems obvious he should become an assistant coach in eastern Pennsylvania but any announcement of a future endeavor has yet to be made.
Tom Kostopoulos (29)
The 36-years old, Tom Kostopoulos(29) will lace up the skates signing his third contract, his 17th pro campaign, to continue as captain of Wilkes Barre-Scranton Penguins for 2015/2016.
He’s managed to put up 40+ points in each of the past two seasons and will like reach that mark for an 8th time in the AHL.
His highest totals were in the 2004/2005 lockout, where he amassed 71 points for Manchester Monarchs before embarking of 9 straight years in the NHL with Los Angeles Kings, Montreal Canadiens, Carolina Hurricanes, Calgary Flames and New Jersey Devils.
Tom Kostopoulos (29)
15th year, right wing Tom Kostopoulos(29) is another veteran player coming full circle in his pro career.
He signed a pto with Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins late-ish last season, a team he is very familiar with from 369 regular season and playoff games and two seasons as captain, a position he currently holds for them again. He more than any other player is synonymous with this franchise and is their all-time leading scorer.
Six weeks before the end of the season, he was given a deal with Pittsburgh Penguins but grabbed from the waiver wire by New Jersey Devils. He skated in 15 games and scored one goal.
He appeared in 17 more AHL games before scoring another contract bringing his overall totals up to 465 games in the league, 136 goals and 233 assists to his credit.
Signed to a minor league contract for 2013/2014 through the Penguins‘ parent club, he’ already putting up point-per-game numbers with 3 goals and 5 assists in 7 games.
The former Pittsburgh 7th round pick in the 1999 draft (#204 overall) is mostly known for his tough to play against, agitating presence, which has kept the 6′ 200 lbs. forward at the highest level of hockey for 630 games.
His scoring proficiency might not be what it is in the lower league at 61 goals and 94 assists but he also plays a vastly different role as mostly a fourth line skater.
He’s also a -48 plus/minus in the NHL, whereas he has a great +30 in the A.
The 34-year old has always managed to find his place throughout his dozen plus seasons but he’s likely looking at an imminent transition into a great coaching career, as he’s been a mentor to his teammates for as long as anyone can even remember.