Thursday, September 17, 2009

Hedican retires

Veteran defenseman Bret Hedican, who spent last season with the Anaheim Ducks, announced his retirement on Wednesday.

Hedican posted just one goal and six points in 51 games for Anaheim in 2008-09, after six-plus seasons with the Carolina Hurricanes.

"After 17 years of playing, I have decided to move on to the next chapter of my life," Hedican said. "I'm proud to have played this game for as long as I have and I'm leaving with no regrets."

The 39-year-old was a 10th-round selection of the St. Louis Blues in 1988, and made his NHL debut late in the 1991-92 season. After appearing in the 1994 Stanley Cup Finals as a member of the Vancouver Canucks, Hedican was dealt along with Pavel Bure in a blockbuster deal to Florida in January, 1999.

Hedican was shipped to the Hurricanes early in the 2001-02 campaign, and posted some of his best years with Carolina, setting a career-high in goals with seven in 2003-04, then posting 27 points in 2005-06 when the 'Canes won the Cup.

In 1,039 total regular-season games with five clubs, the St. Paul, Minnesota native had 55 goals, 294 points and 893 penalty minutes. He added four goals and 26 points in 108 playoff contests.

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