Spitfires retire Jovanovski’s #14

Saturday January 17, 2015

Windsor, ON – The Windsor Spitfires honoured a franchise great in front of a capacity crowd at the WFCU Centre on Saturday. Ed Jovanovski, a Windsor native who played two seasons with the Spitfires in 1994 and 1995 while being the first overall pick in the 1994 NHL Draft, remains one of the greatest rearguards to ever patrol the Spits’ blueline in the franchise’s 40 year history.

Now in the process of wrapping up an 18-year NHL career spent between Florida, Vancouver and Phoenix, the 6’3″, 220Ib. defender had the opportunity to relive some old memories with friends and family on Saturday. He fondly recalls his days in the old Windsor Arena. “There was a lot of history in that rink,” he told the Windsor Star’s Jim Parker on Friday. “It was intimate and a great place to play.”

Jovanovski amassed 38 goals and 77 assists in 112 career OHL games, being named to the OHL All-Rookie Team in 1994 before being recognized as an OHL First Team All-Star in 1995. ‘Jovo’ also won gold with Canada in the 1995 World Junior Hockey Championship in Red Deer, Alberta.

After 1128 NHL games, Jovanovski says he’s probably played his final game. “I haven’t filed any (retirement) paperwork, but I haven’t put on a pair of skates since April,” said Jovanovski, who registered 500 career points. “I don’t plan on playing again. My body’s taken a beating.”

After being a five-time NHL All-Star and winning an Olympic Gold Medal with Canada in 2002, the former captain of the Florida Panthers now resides in Boca Raton, Florida with his wife and four children. 

Jovanovski, who didn’t take up hockey until he was 11 years-old, is the first of three former Spitfires to don the number 14 being recognized this month. Forwards Steve Ott (St. Louis Blues) and Adam Henrique (New Jersey Devils) will be recognized on Sunday, January 25 when the Spitfires host the Sarnia Sting at 7:00pm.

As for the Spits, they battled hard on Saturday, earning a point in a 5-4 overtime loss to the Kitchener Rangers.

WATCH VIDEO OF ED JOVANOVSKI’S JERSEY RETIREMENT CEREMONY

For more information, visit windsorspitfires.com.