Justin Braun

Defenseman Justin Braun has decided to retire at age 36 after 13 NHL seasons. The St. Paul, Minnesota native, born on February 10th, 1987, was best known as a reliable defensive defenseman 

Braun skated in a total of 961 regular-season and playoff games with the San Jose Sharks, Flyers and New York Rangers. He was best known as a key player for the Sharks, most notably when they reached the Stanley Cup Final in 2016, playing in all 24 games of their run and averaging more than 21 minutes of ice time.

Braun also helped the Rangers make the Eastern Conference final last year after they acquired him at the trade deadline from Philadelphia. He returned to the Flyers on a one-year deal, serving as a mentor to many of the team's younger players.

Braun began his hockey career playing for the Green Bay Gamblers in the United States Hockey League (USHL). He then attended the University of Massachusetts Amherst and played for the UMass Minutemen in the NCAA. 

In 2007, Braun was selected by the San Jose Sharks in the seventh round (201st overall) of the NHL Entry Draft. After completing his college career, he joined the Sharks' organization and played for their AHL affiliate, the Worcester Sharks, for two seasons.

Braun made his NHL debut with the San Jose Sharks during the 2010-2011 season. He quickly established himself as a reliable defenseman, known for his shot-blocking ability, physicality, and defensive awareness. Braun became a mainstay on the Sharks' blue line and played with the team for nine seasons.

During his time with the Sharks, Braun appeared in over 600 regular-season games and more than 80 playoff games. He contributed offensively as well, scoring over 100 points in his NHL career. Braun's strong defensive play and leadership skills made him a respected presence in the locker room.

In June 2019, Braun was traded to the Philadelphia Flyers, where he joined their defensive corps. He played two seasons with the Flyers before becoming an unrestricted free agent in 2021. 

Overall, Justin Braun is recognized as a dependable defenseman who brings stability and physicality to his team's blue line. His defensive contributions and shot-blocking skills have made him a valuable player throughout his NHL career.

An interesting note: Justin Braun's wife is Jessie Lysiak, daughter of former NHL star Tom Lysiak.