Vincent Damphousse retires from the NHL

TORONTO, Sept. 7 (UPI) -- Veteran Colorado Avalanche center Vincent Damphousse Wednesday announced his retirement from the National Hockey League.

"I want to thank my coaches, fans, media and especially my teammates for 18 great years in the NHL," he said on the Avalanche's Web site. "I loved getting up every morning and heading to the rink, and I will miss being in the dressing room with the guys, however I'm looking forward to the next stage of my life."

Damphousse, 37, who served as vice president of the National Hockey League Players' Association from 2002-2005, ends his 18-year career with 432 goals and 773 assists in 1,378 games with five different teams.

The four-time NHL All-Star was the sixth overall pick in the 1986 draft by the Maple Leafs and won a Stanley Cup with the Canadiens in the 1992-93 season.