Veteran winger announces retirement

Veteran winger Brad Malone is in his 13th professional season, and it will be his last.  AHL Bakersfield announced that this will be his final year and that the Oilers farmhand will be retiring at the conclusion of the upcoming postseason.

“It has been a 20-year journey since I left home, and this is the only place I’ve called home since leaving,” Malone said in a statement, per the team. “I’m most proud of the relationships we’ve made here with close friends and the culture we’ve created on and off the ice. I’m thankful for my family, staff, teammates and everyone I was able to learn from that came before me. I’m not a leader who leads by himself and I’m proud of our team success and looking forward to a long postseason run.”

The 34-year-old was originally drafted by Colorado, going 105th overall back in 2007 but didn’t turn pro until the 2011-12 campaign.  Malone spent parts of three seasons with the Avs before signing on for two years in Carolina, followed by one with Washington.

In 2017, Malone joined Edmonton in free agency and has stuck with that organization ever since; he’s on his fourth contract with the team.  He has spent most of his time with the Condors during that time but did get into 41 games with the Oilers, 10 of which came last season.  This year, the veteran has 17 points through 48 contests in the minors with two games left on their regular season schedule.

All told, Malone will wrap up his career with 217 appearances at the top level, where he had 32 points.  He also has suited up in 551 AHL contests so far, tallying 290 points, a quality career for a player selected in the middle of the draft.  Now, he’ll look to go out on a high note with a strong postseason run with the Condors having already sewn up a spot in the Pacific Division.