National Hockey League defenseman Marco Scandella of Montreal, Quebec retired at the age of 35 on Thursday according to Rogers Sportsnet. The news of Scandella’s retirement was not a huge surprise when you consider the fact he did not play in the 2024-25 NHL season, as he did not receive a contract.
Who did Scandella play for?
Scandella played 14 NHL regular seasons. He was with the Minnesota Wild for his first seven seasons from 2010 to 2017. That was followed by three seasons with the Buffalo Sabres from 2017 to 2020, one season with the Montreal Canadiens in 2020, and five seasons with the St. Louis Blues from 2020 to 2024.
Scandella’s NHL regular season career statistics
Scandella had 51 goals and 119 assists for 170 points in 784 games. He was a +11 with 294 penalty minutes, 18 power-play points, eight shorthanded points, 10 game-winning goals, 991 shots on goal, 982 blocked shots, 835 hits, 259 takeaways and 411 giveaways.
Ability to defend
Five times Scandella eclipsed the century mark when it came to blocked shots. With the Wild, he had 106 blocked shots in 2011-12, 102 blocked shots in 2013-14, 100 blocked shots in 2014-15, and 105 blocked shots in 2015-16. Then in his first season with the Sabres in 2017-18, Scandella had a career high 114 blocked shots.
Once Scandella reached the century mark in hits. He had 106 hits with the Blues in 2021-22.
Scandella’s NHL playoff career statistics
In 56 postseason games, Scandella had six goals and three assists for nine points. He was a -11 with six penalty minutes, one power-play point, one shorthanded point, 79 shots on goal, 84 blocked shots, 83 hits, 20 takeaways, and 26 giveaways.
Wild’s second round pick
Scandella was the second round pick by the Wild in the 2008 NHL Entry Draft. The only player the Wild chose in front of Scandella was defenseman Tyler Cuma of Bowmanville, Ontario, who was selected in the first round, 23rd overall. It is fair to say Cuma was a bust as he only played one NHL game. The Wild selected Cuma over two-time NHL All-Star John Carlson of Natick, Massachusetts, and four-time NHL All-Star defenseman Roman Josi of Bern, Switzerland.
World U-18 gold medalist
During his junior career, Scandella played for the Val-d’Or Foreurs of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League. In 2008, he also won a gold medal for Canada at the 2008 Under-18 Hockey Championships in Kazan, Russia. Canada won the gold medal by beating Russia 8-0. In seven games during the tournament, Scandella had one goal and one assist for two points.
