After 630 regular season NHL games, 722 regular season AHL games, 16 Stanley Cup playoff games, and 100 Calder Cup playoff games, Tom Kostopoulos' career has come to an end.
The Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins' captain and franchise leader in essentially every statistical category officially retired on Thursday night following the Charlotte Checkers' sweep of the Penguins.
He reflected on his career and final season on Friday during the Penguins' locker room cleanout.
Kostopoulos said his biggest regret was not being able to bring Wilkes-Barre a championship.
"The biggest thing was winning," he told reporters. "I always wanted to thank Wilkes-Barre and the organization and (Wilkes-Barre/Scranton CEO) Jeff Barrett and his staff by winning here. We came close a couple of times but couldn't do it. I really hope that the team does it next year or in the near future."
Kostopoulos speaking about a championship in those terms — a way to give back to the organization, rather than for his own personal glory — speaks volumes on what he has meant to this organization since its inaugural 1999-00 season.
When Kostopoulos returned to Wilkes-Barre in 2013, he thought it was the end of his career. Instead, he went on to play five more full seasons with the Penguins. He took on a new role as a mentor, and focused on doing what he could to develop the prospects and help them get to Pittsburgh.
"I've tried to carry myself the right way and teach everything I've learned over my career from older guys to younger guys here," he said on Friday. "I think I'm leaving the team in good hands with some of the older guys I know will be back, and some of the younger guys that will be a year older next year. I think Wilkes-Barre will have a strong team again next year. Hopefully a lot of the guys get a chance in Pittsburgh, and the organization looks really good in the future."
Kostopoulos only played in 31 games in his final season due to injury. At 39 years old, the captain was still one of the best offensive players on the ice when he was healthy. He recorded five goals and 14 assists, and Wilkes-Barre's power play, which finished next-to-last in the league at 13.8 percent, operated at over 20 percent in games that Kostopoulos was in the lineup.
Still, it was time.
"I know I couldn't play next season, even if I wanted to," he said. "I don't think my body would allow me. I just can't play at the level I want to be at anymore. It's been a blast for me. It's been fun every day for me. I know for sure I couldn't play next season. I know it's time."
The captain said that it finally feels like it's over, and he was able to enjoy his last season, despite the early playoff exit.
"I think it's slowly been sinking in throughout the whole season. But it's fun. It was a fun season. Now that we're officially over, I think it's sunk in that it's over," he laughed. "But it's been a lot of fun for me. Especially these last few years where I've been able to come back to Wilkes-Barre. ... Once you get close to the end, you appreciate every game you get to play after that."
Some of Kostopoulos' former teammates congratulated him on his career after his final game:
Huge congrats to “TK” Tom Kostopoulos on an unbelievable career. Most humble and unselfish player I’ve ever played with. There’s a reason why so many young players have gone from WBS to Pittsburgh and played so well! #630NHL #722AHL #1moreyear pic.twitter.com/NNVUdvHpfe
— Andrew Ebbett (@aebbett) April 27, 2018
Congratulations to Tom Kostopoulos on a great, long career. 630 NHL regular season games and 722 regular season AHL games. Crazy. https://t.co/0e42Srt1PL
— Paul Bissonnette (@BizNasty2point0) April 27, 2018
Kostopoulos is optimistic about Wilkes-Barre's chances at a championship next season, even though he won't be a part of it.
"I think there's a good group of guys here to carry on after me," he said. "I'm sure the culture would stay the same. Hopefully they can learn a little bit from this year and the past few years and win next year."
