Fifteen years ago, the Rangers selected Derek Stepan in the second round of the 2008 NHL Draft with the 51st pick. The former Wisconsin Badger became a fixture as a reliable two-way center on Broadway.

On Tuesday, he announced his retirement from hockey. He is 33 with a family to take care of. Considering that he became a role player over the past three years, it’s the right decision.

Stepan finished his 13-year NHL career with 182 goals, 333 assists, and 515 points in 890 games. He also was a respectable plus-98. That’s the kind of high character player he was. Someone that teams could trust in every situation.

Outside of current Predators star Roman Josi, Stepan turned out to be the best pick of the second round in 2008. He spent seven years in New York City as a Ranger. During that time, the Rangers made the playoffs in all seven seasons, including memorable runs in 2012, 2014, and 2015.

It was as a Broadway Blueshirt that the Hastings, Minnesota native made his mark. After playing two years at the University of Wisconsin, Stepan proved he was ready at the age of 20 by earning a roster spot for 2010-11. He never got sent down to Hartford.

Instead, Stepan turned in a good rookie campaign with the Rangers. In fact, his young career got off to a great start. It was in his NHL debut at Buffalo that he became the first player in franchise history to record a hat trick in their first game. That came on October 9, 2010.

With his family watching the game, Stepan led the Rangers to a 6-3 victory over the Sabres. It was a memorable debut for the center. After scoring his first goal on a deflection, he put in a rebound for his second of the game. Then, he completed the hat trick on a nice pass in front from Sean Avery off a good forecheck. Dan Girardi picked up an assist on the play. The two would become close friends.

Under coach John Tortorella, the team formed an identity. Dubbed the Black and Blueshirts by longtime New York Post hockey columnist Larry Brooks, they lived up to that nickname by outworking opponents. It became part of their motto. Whatever it took to win, they did.

Stepan fit in well due to his gritty style combined with a high hockey IQ. Never the fastest skater, what made him an effective player was his approach to thinking the game during shifts. He combined intelligence and instincts to become a successful player. Along with a willingness to do the little things right, such as blocking shots, Stepan became a responsible two-way center who produced at least 44 points or more in every season with the Rangers. That included five 50-plus point years.

Stepan is best remembered for his overtime winner that beat the Capitals in Game Seven of the second round back in 2015. On a set play off a face-off win, he put home a rebound of a Dan Girardi shot to send the Rangers to the Eastern Conference Final.

Although they fell short of winning the Stanley Cup, the Rangers were very successful during Stepan’s seven-year career. They played in three Conference Finals and reached the Stanley Cup Finals in 2014.

After 2016-17, he was traded to the Coyotes in a cap cutting move that began a rebuild. He spent three years in the desert before having a brief stay in Ottawa. His last two seasons came with Carolina in a fourth line role.

Stepan will always be a Ranger who excelled under the bright lights. He got the most out of his talent.