Dustin Brown to Retire After 2022 Playoffs

Dustin Brown is hoping to go out on top.

The 37-year-old made a surprising announcement on Thursday, declaring that he will indeed retire after the conclusion of the 2022 NHL playoffs, bringing his remarkable 18-year career to a close.

Brown has spent his entire NHL career within the Kings organization, captaining the team to a Stanley Cup in both 2012 and 2014, the latter of which saw him also capture the Mark Messier Leadership Award.

While he still has these upcoming playoffs to further cement his legacy, Brown's regular-season stats are now complete, save for one final game on Friday, with the veteran ultimately finishing with 325 goals and 387 assists for 712 points in 1,295 career games.

Drafted by the Kings 13th overall in 2003, Brown has played a crucial role in the team's leadership core for practically his entire career. Brown served as Kings captain for eight years between the 2008 and 2016 seasons, eventually passing on the "C" to teammate Anze Kopitar while still continuing to hold the role of alternate captain to this day.

With the Kings set to take on the Edmonton Oilers in the first round of this year's playoffs, Brown will face a tall task to end his storied career by adding a third Stanley Cup ring to the pair he already has.

Brown is a notoriously strong postseason performer in his eight appearances, racking up 19 goals and 47 points in 85 playoff games prior to this season.

The playoff schedule has yet to be announced, but Kings fans will learn soon when they can view the first stop in Brown's last ride.