Jesper Fast was never the type of player who'd light up the scoresheet but could be relied upon to show up to the rink and get the job done on a nightly basis. It had to make the last 13 months of his life very tough as he was kept out of the lineup. Fast announced his retirement from the NHL on Monday morning, bringing his 11-year career to a close.
Drafted in the sixth round by the Rangers in 2010, Fast waited for his time before finally debuting in 2013. He went pointless in 13 regular season contests, but Fast found the scoresheet in his postseason debut, picking up an assist in Game 1 of the first round against Philadelphia. He was used sparingly by the Rangers during that run before becoming a regular the following season.
Fast spent the first seven years of his career with the Rangers, quickly positioning himself as a favorite amongst his teammates. Fast was awarded the Rangers' Players' Player Award five times, winning it annually from 2016 to 2020. He was also named an alternate captain in 2017. Fast scored 55 goals and 147 points in 422 games with New York, adding 14 points in 40 postseason games.
His time with the Rangers ended in the 2020 playoff bubble in Toronto against the Hurricanes. Early in Game 1 of the series, Fast was leveled by former teammate and Carolina deadline acquisition, Brady Skjei. The hit knocked Fast out of the series. Little did we know it would be his last game in New York as he signed with the Hurricanes during the offseason.
Joining the good guys
Signing a three-year deal with the Canes, Fast found a home in Raleigh. He played some of his best years with the Hurricanes over the next four seasons. Arguably, his best came during the 2021-22 season. Fast set a career-high in goals (14) and points (34) while playing the only complete 82-game season of his career.
The most poignant highlights of his career came during the Canes' 2023 postseason run. In the Canes' opening series with the Islanders, Fast scored the overtime winner in Game 2. In the following series against the Devils, he struck in overtime, again. This time, he used his pants to redirect Jesperi Kotkaniemi's shot, ending the series in five games.
Fast's numbers dipped in 2023-24, scoring just six goals and 19 points in 73 games. One hit in the season finale ended it all. Early in the second period, Fast was forced hard into the boards by Erik Gudbranson. The hit ended Fast's season, keeping him out of the playoffs, but it also had long-lasted effects. He missed the entire season this year. That night in Columbus would be his last.
Across four seasons with the Hurricanes, Fast finished with 36 goals and 101 points. He added 13 points in 40 playoff games, including six points in five games during their second-round series with New Jersey in 2023. For his career, Fast recorded 248 points in 703 games. He was a great professional by all accounts, and his presence in the locker room will surely be missed.