NHL Legend Mike Modano announces retirement at age of 41, after 21 seasons - NHL News Update
Not many players are able to live a colourful career such as that of veteran centre player, Mike Modano, who decided to finally call it quits after 21 seasons in the National Hockey League (NHL) and announced his retirement on Wednesday, September 21, through
social networking websites, Facebook and Twitter.
"After a long summer of thinking about my future, I've come to the decision that it's time to retire as a player from the NHL", Modano wrote. "There's way too many people to thank here at this time and too much to say, so I have a press conference scheduled
for early Friday afternoon. Check back Friday late afternoon for more. What a great ride it's been"!
There is not a single doubt that Modano had one of the NHL’s most successful careers and ended it as the highest scoring players to have been U.S. born, an honour not many get to experience in their lives.
Drafted as the first-overall pick during round-one of the 1988 NHL Entry Draft by the then, Minnesota North Stars, Modano spent his 21 season with a number of teams but mostly with Dallas Stars.
After four seasons with Minnesota, Modano spent the next 16 with Dallas Stars and even led the team to back-to-back Stanley Cup final appearances in 1999 and 2000, with a championship win the first time.
For most people who are professional players, aspiring players or just fans of the sport, Modano is certainly one of those players a person wishes to be just like at some moment in their lives.
"He's a guy I looked up to ever since I came into the league," said Blackhawks right wing, Patrick Kane, said about the now retired player.
Mike Modano spent his final season with hometown team, Detroit Red Wings, but had a tough time dealing with injuries and making a comeback at the age of 41.
He will certainly not be forgotten by the league and the people associated with it. A number of players including Brett Hull, Joffrey Lupul, James van Riemsdyk and Bobby Ryan shared their views on the news, which is surely to have saddened many.
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