Radek Dvorak retires after 18 NHL seasons

Florida Panthers' Radek Dvorak (14), is congratulated by his teammates after scoring a goal on Thursday, Jan. 13, 2011, in Sunrise, Fla. Dvorak has retired from the NHL after 18 seasons. (Lynne Sladky/AP)

After 1,260 regular season NHL games, Radek Dvorak has called it a career.

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The 37-year-old native of Tabor, Czech Republic was drafted 10th overall by the Florida Panthers in 1995.

Dvorak still holds the Panthers’ franchise record for most short-handed goals with 16 and is second overall in games played, with 613.

Besides the Panthers, Dvorak played for the New York Rangers, Edmonton Oilers, St. Louis Blues, Dallas Stars, Anaheim Ducks and — in what would be his final NHL season — the Carolina Hurricanes.

He suited up in 60 games for the ‘Canes in 2013-14, scoring four goals, including this sneaky shot against the Detroit Red Wings:

“It was an honour for me to play in the best league in the world for 18 seasons,” Dvorak said media release from the NHL Players’ Association. “I would like to thank all the organizations, coaches and teammates I played for or with.

“Also, thank you to my parents, wife and kids who have always supported me and helped me throughout my whole career. At last I would like to thank my fans who believed in and followed me all these years.”

Dvorak retires after notching 227 goals and 363 assists over 18 seasons in the NHL.

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