Journeyman Defender Retires After 12-Year Career
Veteran NHL defender Jordan Oesterle announced his retirement on Monday afternoon via his agency, O2K Sports Management. Oesterle spent most of the final two seasons of his 12-year career in the Predators organization after being selected off waivers by Nashville in March of 2025.
Oesterle played 15 games for the Predators to close out the 2024-25 season, scoring three goals with one assist. He averaged 16 minutes of ice time per game and had 20 blocks with eight takeaways and seven hits.
He was sent to Milwaukee to play for the Admirals in 2025-26, scoring 14 goals with 32 assists in 69 appearances, but made a single late-season appearance for the Predators, making two blocks and a hit in a 4-1 April loss to Utah.
Nashville UFA LHD Jordan Oesterle announced his retirement from pro hockey after a 12-year career that included 409 NHL games and 265 AHL games, finishing 2025-26 with AHL-Milwaukee with a career-high 14 goals, 32 assists and 46 points in 69GP.@InsideAHLHockey #AHLFreeAgency26
— Tony Androckitis* (@TonyAndrock) July 13, 2026
Oesterle was born in Dearborn Heights, Michigan, and played college hockey at Western Michigan and signed an entry-level contract with the Edmonton Oilers in 2014 as an undrafted free agent. He made 25 appearances over three seasons in Edmonton before signing a two-year contract with Chicago in 2017.
The defenseman made 55 appearances for the Blackhawks, scoring his first NHL goal against the Oilers. He was traded the following summer to the Arizona Coyotes. He made 172 appearances, scoring 10 goals and recording 34 assists over three years with the Coyotes before signing a two-year contract with the Detroit Red Wings.
The left-hander signed a one-year contract with the Calgary Flames, then a two-year contract with the Boston Bruins, before being waived in March 2025. He played 409 NHL games, scoring 23 goals with 73 assists. He won a bronze medal for Team USA at the 2018 IIHF World Championship.
Jordan, you showed the hockey world that hard work pays off. From going undrafted as a college free agent to creating a 12 year pro hockey career, there's no doubt you left your impact on the game and serve as an inspiration to others looking to follow in your footsteps.… pic.twitter.com/4Vd4Z0ixlf
— O2K Sports Management (@o2ksports) July 13, 2026
The 34-year-old ends his professional hockey career with one playoff appearance, playing in nine games for the Coyotes in 2020, scoring four points with 20 total shots.
Numerous social media accounts took to the internet to express appreciation for Oesterle's career..
a true leader on + off the ice.
— Milwaukee Admirals (@mkeadmirals) July 13, 2026
it was an honor to be part of your professional hockey career, Jordan!
congratulations on an incredible run!
cheers to retirement, #82 🦪 pic.twitter.com/LM3wZAJsQz
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Joe Gaither covers the Nashville Predators for Nashville Predators On SI. He also oversees videos and podcasts for Alabama Crimson Tide On SI/BamaCentral. He began his sports media career in radio in 2019, working for three years in Tuscaloosa covering the University of Alabama and other local high school sports. In 2023 he joined BamaCentral to cover a variety of Crimson Tide sports and recruiting, in addition to hosting the “Joe Gaither Show” podcast. His work has also appeared on the Boston College, Miami, Missouri and Vanderbilt college On SI sites.