Brendan Shanahan officially announced his retirement today, ending his 21-year career in the NHL.
The eight-time all star, who almost returned with the Devils but parted ways with the team before the start of the season, ends his career 11th on the NHL's all time goals scored list.
"I would like to thank my family and all of the friends who have helped me achieve and maintain my childhood dream of playing in the National Hockey League", Shanahan said in a news release. "I am enormously grateful to all of my coaches and teammates I've had the privilege of learning from and playing along side of, throughout my career. While I always dreamed of playing in the NHL, I can't honestly say that I would have ever imagined that I'd be this fortunate and blessed. I would like to sincerely thank everyone who has helped me fulfill this dream."
The eight-time All-Star scored at least 40 goals in six seasons, and won three Stanley Cups with the Detroit Red Wings. In 2002, Shanahan then became only the third player in NHL history to win an Olympic gold medal and Stanley Cup championship in the same year.
The native of Mimico, Ontario was originally The New Jersey's first round selection, second overall, in the 1987 NHL Entry Draft. He amassed 656 goals, 698 assists for 1,354 points in 1,524 NHL matches with New Jersey, St. Louis, Hartford, Detroit, and New York.