Dallas Stars defenseman Ben Lovejoy (21) makes a pass during Game 3 in a first-round Stanley Cup playoff series against the Nashville Predators in April. The former Dartmouth College standout retired from the NHL on Wednesday night.
Dallas Stars defenseman Ben Lovejoy (21) makes a pass during Game 3 in a first-round Stanley Cup playoff series against the Nashville Predators in April. The former Dartmouth College standout retired from the NHL on Wednesday night. Credit: Tony Gutierrez—AP

Former Dartmouth College hockey standout Ben Lovejoy announced his retirement from the NHL after 11 seasons on Wednesday.

Lovejoy, who was born in Concord, played with four teams during his career, including the Pittsburgh Penguins (twice), Anaheim Ducks, New Jersey Devils and Dallas Stars. He also became the first New Hampshire native to win the Stanley Cup as a player, accomplishing the feat in 2016.

“Playing in the NHL was a lifelong dream come true,” Lovejoy said. “I spent 24 years of my life trying to get to the NHL, then 11 trying to stay. I’m so lucky with how everything turned out.”

Lovejoy finished with 20 goals and 81 assists for 101 career points. His plus-51 rating is the best by a former Big Green skater at the NHL level. The defenseman also holds the Dartmouth record for most NHL Stanley Cup Playoff games with 76 over eight appearances.