TORONTO – Defenseman Roman Hamrlik has retired after a 20-year NHL career.
The three-time All-Star was drafted first overall by Tampa Bay in 1992. He played 1,395 games in the regular season and 113 in the playoffs with the Lightning, Oilers, Islanders, Flames, Canadiens, Capitals and Rangers.
From Zlin, Czech Republic, Hamrlik had 155 goals and 483 assists for 638 points while averaging over 23 minutes in ice time.
"As a kid growing up in communist Czechoslovakia, I never imagined that I would one day have the opportunity to play in the National Hockey League," the 39-year-old Hamrlik said in an NHLPA statement Monday. "It has been a great honor and a privilege to spend 20 seasons playing in the greatest hockey league in the world.
"I will always cherish the wonderful memories I have of my time spent in North America while playing the game I love, making sacrifices and pursuing my hockey dreams."
His best offensive season came in 1995-96, when he had 16 goals and 49 assists for the Lightning. He had a career-high rating of plus-22 with Calgary in 2006-07.
Hamrlik had one assist and was minus-4 in 16 games last season with the Capitals and Rangers. He was an unrestricted free agent this season before retiring.
An All-Star in 1996, 1999 and 2003, he helped the Czech Republic win the gold medal at the 1998 Nagano Olympics.
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