After a ten‑year journey through professional hockey, former Ottawa Senators prospect Max McCormick has announced his retirement at the age of 34.
McCormick’s final season was cut short by hip surgery, causing him to miss the entire 2025‑26 AHL campaign and leaving the Coachella Valley Firebirds without their long‑standing captain.
A legacy of leadership
Despite the setback, the forward had already etched his name into Firebirds history, becoming the franchise’s all‑time leader in goals with 67 and ranking second in points with 140, while guiding the team to back‑to‑back finals appearances in his first two years as captain.
Drafted in the sixth round of the 2011 USHL draft, McCormick honed his game at Ohio State alongside Ryan Dzingel before making his NHL debut on October 24, 2015, and scoring his first goal on January 7, 2016.
His professional path took him from the Senators organization for four and a half seasons, to a trade that brought him to the Colorado Avalanche in exchange for J.C. Beaudin, followed by brief stops with the Carolina Hurricanes and Seattle Kraken.
Throughout his career, McCormick expressed gratitude for the memories forged on the ice, noting that the sport has given him friendships, experiences and a sense of pride that will endure beyond the rink.
In a statement released on Tuesday, McCormick thanked his teammates, coaches and fans, saying he was proud of what he accomplished and excited for the next chapter of his life.