Former NHL defenceman Brent Sopel announced his retirement on Friday.

The 38-year-old blueliner played 659 career NHL games with the Vancouver Canucks, New York Islanders, Los Angeles Kings, Chicago Blackhawks, Atlanta Thrashers and Montreal Canadiens, scoring 44 goals and 174 assists.

He spent three seasons in Russia's Kontinental Hockey League before returning to North America this season. He appeared in 29 games with the St. Louis Blues' American Hockey League affiliate, the Chicago Wolves, scoring one goal and adding eight assists.

Sopel won the Stanley Cup as a member of the 2010 Blackhawks team. He was originally selected in the sixth round (144th overall) of the 1995 NHL Entry Draft by the Canucks.

"We thank Brent for his service and his professionalism this season," Wolves general manager Wendell Young said in a statement. "He has been an excellent role model for our players. We wish him the best as he pursues other dreams in the hockey world."