Veteran F Prospal retires after 16 NHL seasons

Associated Press

TORONTO (AP) — Czech forward Vaclav Prospal has retired after a 16-year NHL career.

Prospal appeared in 1,108 games with Anaheim, Columbus, Florida, the New York Rangers, Ottawa, Philadelphia and Tampa Bay. He registered 255 goals and 765 points.

The move wasn't a surprise. Prospal was scheduled to join Vancouver's second-tier AHL affiliate last weekend. But after talking with his family, the NHL club said the 38-year-old had decided to retire.

The NHL Players' Association made it official Tuesday.

Philadelphia selected Prospal No. 71 overall in the 1993 NHL draft. He had his best season with Tampa Bay in 2005-'06, when he had 25 goals and 55 assists.