Defenseman Chrs Wideman has retired after six NHL seasons, saying it's "best for my health" after sitting out last season with a back injury.

Chris Wideman announced his retirement from the NHL on Tuesday after six NHL seasons. The 34-year-old defenseman last played in 2022-23 with the Montreal Canadiens when he had six assists in 46 games. He did not play last season because of a back injury.

A fourth-round pick by the Ottawa Senators (100th overall) at the 2009 draft, Chris Wideman had to wait until the 2015-16 season to make his NHL debut. He spent three years in the AHL with the Binghampton Senators (and five games in the ECHL) being named an alternate captain for the last two.

With Chris Wideman retiring, give the Montreal Canadiens defenseman his due as an unheralded role player who did all that was asked him.

On Tuesday, the Canadiens revealed that Wideman, 34, has announced his retirement following six NHL seasons split between Montreal, the Ottawa Senators, the Edmonton Oilers, and the Florida Panthers. Chris Wideman announces his retirement following six seasons in the NHL.

Chris Wideman is calling it a career. The defenceman announced his retirement on Tuesday after six seasons in the NHL. He recorded 20 goals and 58 assists over 291 career NHL games with the Ottawa Senators,

MONTREAL – Defenseman Chris Wideman announced his retirement on Tuesday following six NHL seasons with the Canadiens, Ottawa Senators, Edmonton Oilers and Florida Panthers. See below a letter from Wideman:

Former Montreal Canadiens and Ottawa Senators defenceman Chris Wideman announced he's retiring after six NHL seasons on Tuesday.