|
 Hejduk, a three-time NHL All-Star and an Olympic gold medallist,
had helped the Avalanche win the Stanley Cup in 2000-01, scoring 23
points in the playoffs.
The 38-year-old Czech native, an unrestricted free agent this
summer, had not played this season. He had 11 points from 29 games
last season.
"I was fortunate to play many years at this level with a great
organization and unbelievable team mates," the right winger said in
a statement released by the Avalanche.
"I realized my lifelong dream of not only playing in the NHL but
winning a Stanley Cup."
Hejduk had 375 goals and 430 assists in 1,020 games with the
Avalanche, scoring 20 goals 11 consecutive seasons and notching 50
goals in 2002-03.
He also found success in international competition as a member of
the Czech team that won gold at the 1998 Nagano Olympics, the first
one featuring NHL players. He also won the bronze medal at the 2006
Turin Olympics.
[to top of second column] |
"Milan was one of the most humble players I ever had the privilege
of competing with," Joe Sakic, the Avalanche's executive vice
President of hockey operations, said.
"On the ice, he had one of the quickest and smoothest hands of any
teammate I ever played with. His release, along with his hockey
sense and vision, made him one of the premier goal scorers in the
NHL during his prime."
(Reporting by Larry Fine in New York; editing by Gene Cherry)
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