RALEIGH, N.C. — A respected leader. A clutch performer. And now, a retiree.
Jesper Fast — known to teammates and fans simply as “Quickie” — has officially announced his retirement from professional hockey. After 11 seasons in the NHL, including four with the Carolina Hurricanes, Fast will hang up the skates and move on to the next chapter of his life.
The Announcement
In a heartfelt social media post Monday morning, Fast wrote:
> “I’ve given everything I have to the game I love, and now it’s time to say goodbye. Thank you to my teammates, coaches, fans, and especially my family for the love and support throughout my journey. I’m proud of what I’ve accomplished and grateful for every moment.”
The news quickly made its way around the hockey world, with an outpouring of love from former teammates, fans, and even rival players.
A Career Built on Heart
Drafted by the New York Rangers in 2010, Fast became known for his quiet leadership, work ethic, and two-way reliability. He was a coach’s dream — someone who did the little things right every night.
In 2020, he signed with Carolina and became a key piece of their forward depth. Perhaps his most memorable moment came during the 2023 playoffs, when he scored the series-clinching overtime goal against the New Jersey Devils.
> “Jesper was the kind of player every team wants,” said Rod Brind’Amour. “Dependable. Tough. Team-first. He’ll be missed in that room.”
What’s Next for Quickie?
While Fast didn’t specify his post-retirement plans, insiders suggest he may be considering a coaching or player development role — perhaps even with the Hurricanes organization.
He finishes his career with 82 goals and 123 assists in 675 regular-season games, along with 54 playoff appearances.
As the hockey world says goodbye to Jesper Fast the player, fans will forever remember the grit, grace, and humility he brought to the ice every night.
Thank you, Quickie. You’ll always be a Hurricane