Hockey: Leetch hangs up his skates

New York, NY (Sports Network) - Former Rangers defenseman, and 18-year NHL veteran Brian Leetch announced his retirement on Thursday.
The two-time Norris Trophy winner spent more than 16 seasons in New York, ranking as the Rangers' all-time leader among defensemen in goals, assists and points. He concludes his career with 247 goals, 781 assists, and 1,028 points in 1,205 games.
"I have been fortunate to be an NHL player since 1988," said Leetch in a statement released on Thursday. "I missed being in the NHL this past season, but believe it was the right time for me to stop playing."
Leetch was a member of the Rangers' Stanley Cup championship club in 1994. He registered 11 goals and 23 assists in 23 games en route to being awarded the Conn Smythe Trophy as playoff MVP.
He has been voted a First Team All-Star on two occasions (1992, 1997) and a Second Team All-Star three times (1991, 1994, 1996).
The native of Corpus Christi, Texas was originally drafted by the Rangers in the first round (ninth overall) in the 1986 NHL Entry Draft. He played one season at Boston College before jumping to the USA's Olympic team the following season.
After the Winter Olympics in Calgary, he made his NHL debut on February 29, 1988 at Madison Square Garden, eventually appearing in 17 games and recording 14 points for the club. His true rookie season, 1988-89, saw Leetch post 23 goals and 71 points in 68 games.
In 1991-92, the Connecticut-raised blueliner scored 102 points, becoming only the fifth defenseman in league history to top the century mark as the Rangers won the Patrick Division regular season title. He was awarded the Norris Trophy as best defenseman for the first time.
A second Norris Trophy came in 1996-97, when he accumulated 78 points in 82 games as the Rangers advanced to the Eastern Conference finals. Upon the departure of then-captain Mark Messier to Vancouver after the season, he was named 23rd captain in team history, a title which he held until Messier's return in 2000.
He remained in Manhattan until a March, 2004 trade sent him to the Toronto Maple Leafs. Following the cancelled 2004-2005 season, Leetch signed with the Boston Bruins, scoring five goals and 32 points in 61 games in 2005-2006.