BRAMPTON, ONTARIO – Brampton Beast forward David Pacan has officially announced his retirement as a player.

“David Pacan will be significantly missed by the Brampton Beast,” said Cary Kaplan, Beast President and General Manager. “First line power centres who can play all situations are few and far between. Nobody played more important minutes in each of the last three Beast playoff seasons.”   

“David is the only Beast player to ever score 40 goals in a season, is the career record holder in points per game for players over 100 games played and he was an ECHL All-Star. More importantly he was an elite penalty killer, top face-off man, and an essential staple on the power play.”  

Kaplan states, “Off the ice David grew into a team leader and a key part of the veteran leadership.  We wish David the best in his future career, and thank him for being a vital cog in Brampton’s rise to be an elite ECHL franchise.”  

“As Pacan departs with teammates Jordan Henry and David Vallorani this off season, joining Brandon Marino a year prior, this departure represents a true passing of the torch and setting the stage for the talented and emerging Brampton Beast stars of the future ready to take the franchise to the next level.”

The native of Ottawa, Ontario, Pacan began his Beast career during the 2016-17 season. The power forward scored a Beast record 41 goals and 82 points over the course of 67 games that season.

He would go on to add six total points through 12 playoff contests that spring. Pacan would play the next season overseas in Slovakia with HC Kosice but would return to Brampton for the 2018-19 campaign.

The pivot played in all 72 games, scoring 28 goals and tacking on 42 assists for 70 points. He would go on to have a productive postseason with five points in six contests.

This past year Pacan was once again a force as one of the best two-way forwards in the league. He tallied 15 goals and 54 points over the course of 62 games played prior to the Covid-19 season postponement.

Pacan wraps up his career in Brampton by accumulating 206 points in 201 games.  His 41 goals in a season is also a Beast record that stands to this day.

“Pacan’s retirement marks the conclusion of an important era of Beast hockey in a way,” said Beast Head Coach and Director of Hockey Operations Spiros Anastas. “Following the retirement of Jordan Henry and David Vallorani, he closes the loop on what many would consider the most important trio of players in the history of this franchise. All three have laid down the groundwork for this team and have helped bring it to where it is. “

Anastas also confirms, “Pacan was a critical holdover for me when I joined the club. When we first met, we both knew what he could provide offensively but he was keen on getting better in his 200-foot game. Without a doubt, he far exceeded that goal this past season and had an exceptional year on both sides of the puck. From timely goals and important face-offs to huge blocked shots and hard hits, Pacan did it all in his final season and I am proud to have coached him for it. I wish him and his family the best in the next stage of their lives!”

Pacan has some ECHL hardware in his trophy case and was named to the ECHL All-Rookie Team in 2012-13. The pivot was also a 2018-19 ECHL All-Star and was awarded the Most Valuable Player award of the All-Star Game that same year.

A former draft pick of the Chicago Blackhawks, Pacan ends his hockey playing career with 454 games played in the ECHL split between Cincinnati, Kalamazoo, South Carolina and Brampton.

The dominant centreman also racked up 26 games in the American Hockey League with the San Antonio Rampage, Utica Comets, Norfolk Admirals and Syracuse Crunch.

Pacan will be missed by his fellow teammates, coaches, Beast staff and the fans. On behalf of the Brampton Beast organization, we want to express our sincerest thanks to David and we wish him and his family the best for the future!