Hamrlik retires after 20 seasons
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Toronto, ON (SportsNetwork.com) - Following a 20-year NHL career, Roman Hamrlik announced his retirement on Monday.
Hamrlik, the No. 1 pick of the 1992 NHL Draft, played for the Lightning, Oilers, Flames, Islanders, Canadiens, Capitals and Rangers, recording 155 goals and 483 assists in 1,395 games.
The native of Zlin, Czech Republic added three goals and 38 assists in 113 playoff games. The closest Hamrlik came to winning the Stanley Cup was 2010, when he got to the Eastern Conference Finals with the Canadiens.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}"After much thought and consideration I have decided to end my hockey career as of today," Hamrlik said in a statement released by the NHL Players Association. "As a kid growing up in communist Czechoslovakia, I never imagined that I would one day have the opportunity to play in the National Hockey League. It has been a great honor, and a privilege, to spend 20 seasons playing in the greatest hockey league in the world. I will always cherish the wonderful memories I have of my time spent in North America while playing the game I love, making sacrifices and pursuing my hockey dreams."
A three-time NHL All-Star (1996, 1999, 2003), Hamrlik also was a longtime player for the Czech national team and won an Olympic gold medal in 1998.
"I cannot forget the 1998 Czech Republic Olympic hockey team, under the guidance and leadership of coach Ivan Hlinka," Hamrlik said. "I am so proud to have been a part of such a memorable tournament and the incredible victory of the Czech Republic, in the tournament of the century, is something I will cherish always."
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Hamrlik spilt last season with the Capitals and Rangers, appearing in a total of 16 games with one assist.