PHILADELPHIA, Feb. 9 (UPI) -- Veteran goaltender Jeff Hackett, who was battling vertigo while playing for the Philadelphia Flyers top affiliate, announced his retirement Monday.
The move was part of a busy day for the Flyers, who acquired goaltender Sean Burke from the Phoenix Coyotes and traded defenseman Eric Weinrich to the St. Louis Blues. The addition of Burke spelled the end of Hackett's tenure with the organization.
Hackett, 35, was 10-10-6 with a 2.39 goals-against average and three shutouts in 27 games this season. But he had missed the team's last nine games with vertigo and the uncertainty surrounding the illness forced the hand of Philadelphia General Manager Bobby Clarke and Hackett.
One of just 50 goaltenders to play in 500 games, Hackett is a 15-year veteran with a career record of 166-244-56 with a 2.90 GAA, .902 save percentage and 26 shutouts.
