Music: {allcanada} Alfredsson announces retirement after 18 seasons

Thursday, December 4, 2014

{allcanada} Alfredsson announces retirement after 18 seasons

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Citing persistent back issues, Daniel Alfredsson announced his retirement Thursday after 18 NHL seasons.

Alfredsson spent 17 of his 18 seasons with the Ottawa Senators, and made the announcement at Canadian Tire Centre.

"Last year my body began to complain once more," Alfredsson said. "The old injuries and hard work to recover began again. I worked hard to play another year [but] three weeks ago I decided to retire."

The 41-year-old forward spent last season with the Detroit Red Wings, and was trying to play another season with the Red Wings, but persistent back pain wouldn't allow that to happen.

Alfredsson signed a ceremonial one-day agreement with the Senators on Thursday, and will skate during the warmups before the Senators play the New York Islanders.

He leaves the game 51st all-time in NHL scoring with 1,157 points and 60th with 444 goals. He's also second among all Sweden-born players in League history in goals and points, and third in games played (1,246).

Alfredsson is the Senators' all-time leader in games played (1,178), goals (426), assists (682) and points (1,108). He also leads Ottawa in the same categories in the Stanley Cup Playoffs. He was Ottawa's captain for 13 seasons (1999-2013); in that span the Senators made the playoffs 11 times, including a trip to the 2007 Stanley Cup Final.

"Without question Daniel has been the greatest player that this city has ever seen," Senators owner Eugene Melnyk said.

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