Martin St. Louis has announced his retirement from the National Hockey League. 

The 40-year-old played 74 games with the New York Rangers last season registering 21 goals and 52 points.

“I have been blessed to play for 16 years in the NHL; it has been an amazing ride,” St. Louis Thursday.  “I would like to thank the Tampa Bay Lightning and New York Rangers organizations and owners for providing me the opportunity to play the sport I love for so many years.  

St. Louis won the Art Ross Trophy, Lester B. Pearson Award and Hart Memorial Trophy in 2004 and also won the Stanley Cup with the Tampa Bay Lightning that same year. He is also the winner of an additional Art Ross Trophy and three Lady Byng Memorial Trophies. He was named a Second-Team NHL All-Star on four occasions.

He totaled 391 goals and 642 assists for 1,033 points in 1134 regular season games.

The Laval, Quebec native spent sixteen seasons in the NHL playing for the Calgary Flames, Lightning and the Rangers . He was also played in seven NHL All Star Games. 

St. Louis also represented Canada multiple times, winning a 2014 Olympic gold along with winning the 2004 World Cup of Hockey and earning two IIHF World Championship silvers.

The diminutive forward made an exceptional NHL career for himself despite a tenuous start in the Flames organization. However, after breaking out during the 2002-03 season, St. Louis earned many admirers for his dedication and tenacity.

TSN Hockey Insider Darren Dreger commented on St. Louis' legacy on Twitter shortly after the winger announced his retirement.