NHL Great Mike Modano Retires After 21 Seasons

NHL Great Mike Modano Retires After 21 Seasons
Jojo Doria

Dallas, TX

Dallas Stars center Mike Modano retired from professional hockey after a decorated 21-year NHL career.

The 41-year-old Modano announced his retirement on his Facebook page Wednesday, ending a 21-year NHL career.

"I've come to the decision that it's time to retire as a player from the NHL." Modano posted Wednesday.

Modano, the all-time leading scorer among US-born hockey players, admitted he considered playing another season but insisted his body could not withstand another year of physicality.

"I think I knew in my heart I was done after last season," Modano posted on Facebook. "I had a harder time coming to grips with it than I thought I would. Part of me wanted to play it out and see if anybody had called in July. When that didn't happen, I figured that's pretty much it."

According to reports, a press conference announcing Modano's retirement is scheduled Friday morning in Dallas.

Selected 1st overall by Minnesota North Stars in the 1988 Draft, Modano played for the Minnesota based franchise for four seasons and continued on with the hockey team upon its relocation to Dallas.

Modano played for the Detroit Red Wings last season, recording four goals and 11 assists in 40 games.

Modano racked up 561 goals, 813 assists and 1,374 points over 1,499 regular-season games. He also recorded 58 goals, 88 assists, and 146 points over 176 playoff-games.