Former Winnipeg Jets defenceman Zach Redmond retires; joining Sabres as a player development coach

Former Jets defenceman Zach Redmond came to Winnipeg as part of the Thrashers franchise moving to the city backin 2011-12. He had been drafted by Atlanta in the 7th round of the 2008 NHL Draft. He would spend the majority of the next three seasons playing for the new Jets AHL affiliate in St. John’s although he did get into 18 games for Winnipeg during that time.

One of the most significant events in his career took place on a recall to the Jets during the 2012-13 season in Carolina when he suffered a laceration to his right femoral artery and vein which required three hours of surgery in a Raleigh hospital.

He would sign one more deal in Winnipeg before joining the Colorado organization the following season. His NHL journey then took him to Montreal for a season (where he actually went back to St. John’s who were now the Canadians AHL affiliate) and then concluded as part of the Sabres organization.

Redmond spent three more seasons in the Germany DEL and has now announced his retirement from hockey. However he won’t be leaving the game as the Sabres announced that he will be re-joining their organization as a player development coach.

There are not many players left with ties to the former Thrashers franchise. Now just three who were drafted by Atlanta remain in the NHL (Zach Bogosian, Evander Kane and Ben Chiarot) as well as players who they acquired via trade (Andrew Ladd and Blake Wheeler) who are also still playing. Bryan Little is on LTIR for the Coyotes but his career is over.