Brian Leetch retires from NHL

One of the NHL's all-time great defencemen has called it quits.

Brian Leetch officially retired on Thursday, ending a brilliant 18-year career in which he won two Norris Trophies and made 10 all-star teams.

Leetch, 39, sat out the entire 2006-07 season. The last time he appeared in the NHL was in 2005-06, when he recorded five goals and 27 assists in 61 games for the Boston Bruins.

"I have been fortunate to be an NHL player since 1988," Leetch said in a statement. "I missed being in the NHL this past season, but believe it was the right time for me to stop playing."

Though his career ended in Boston, Leetch will perhaps be remembered more for his 16-plus seasons with the New York Rangers, who drafted him ninth overall in 1986.

Renowned for his offensive ability and skill on the power play, Leetch won his first Norris Trophy with the Rangers in 1992, after recording 102 points for the season.