Mats Sundin has ended the speculation and officially announced his retirement.
The former Toronto Maple Leafs captain made the announcement at a news conference in Sweden on Wednesday.
''It was just time, I think. Obviously, it's not an easy decision but I feel with body and soul right now, it's time to quit my professional career as a hockey player,'' said Sundin. ''I'm very glad that I played last season with the Vancouver Canucks and I think I needed that. But now with the season getting started again, it actually feels nice not having to practice every day and play games every other day so I think this is the right time for me.''
The 38-year-old leaves the NHL having amassed 1,349 points (564 goals, 785 assists over 1,346), ranking him 25th on the all-time list. However, Sundin is one of only five NHL players to have scored at least 500 goals and never played in a Stanley Cup Final but the eight-time NHL All-Star said the playoff success did not bother him.
He was a great player and he's more than likely going to end up in the hall, but I really wish that he would of retired a Leaf and didn't play for the Canucks last year.
