Toronto, ON – Brian Rolston, a former first-round draft pick who won a Stanley Cup with the New Jersey Devils, announced his retirement on Tuesday.
Rolston, 40, did not play during the lockout-shortened 2012-13 season after splitting the 2011-12 campaign with the New York Islanders and Boston Bruins. He finished his career with 342 goals, 419 assists and 761 points in 1,256 NHL games for the Devils, Bruins, Islanders, Avalanche and Wild.
"Getting the chance to play the game I love for 17 years has truly been a dream come true," said Rolston on Tuesday in a statement through the NHL Players Association. "My career has taken me to many great places where I had the privilege to play with some exceptional teammates and in the best league in the world. The memories of all my experiences will certainly stick with me for the rest of my life. I am grateful for the overwhelming support of my friends, family and fans throughout my career."
The Devils selected Rolston with the 11th overall pick of the 1991 draft and he made his NHL debut with the team during the 1994-95 season, helping New Jersey to the first of its three Stanley Cup titles.
Rolston was traded to Colorado in November 1999 and played 50 games for the Avalanche before being dealt to the Bruins in March 2000. He spent the next four seasons in Boston, then signed as a free agent with Minnesota for the 2005-06 season and enjoyed his greatest success with the Wild -- reaching the 30-goal plateau in each of his three seasons.
After rejoining the Devils and playing three more seasons in New Jersey, he was traded to the Islanders in the summer of 2011. He compiled seven goals and 24 points over 70 games in his last season with the Isles and Bruins.
Rolston, a Michigan native, also played for the United States in three Olympic Games (1994, 2002, 2006), winning a silver medal for the Americans at the Salt Lake Games in 2002.
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