Longtime NHL goalie Olaf Kolzig retires

TORONTO, Sept. 23 (UPI) -- Olaf Kolzig, who won the Vezina Trophy in 2000 as the best goaltender in professional ice hockey, officially retired Wednesday, ending a 17-year NHL career.

Kolzig, 39, appeared in games over 16 seasons for the Washington Capitals but wrapped up his career with Tampa Bay and Toronto last year. He played in 719 games since his first NHL game in 1989-90 and finished with a record of 303-297-63.

"I feel very privileged to have had the opportunity to play the game of hockey at the NHL level for many seasons and I am grateful for everything the game has given me," Kolzig said. "I would like to thank my family, all my teammates and the fans for making my time in the NHL so special."

Kolzig helped Washington to the NHL finals in 1998 and two seasons later posted a 41-20-11 record with five shutouts and a 2.24 goals against average en route to an All-Star team berth and the Vezina Trophy.

He had 35 career shutouts and an overall 2.71 GGA.