Ducks' Silfverberg announces retirement from NHL

Jakob Silfverberg is retiring from the NHL after 12 seasons with the Ottawa Senators and Anaheim Ducks.

IRVINE, Calif. - "Obviously, it's not a decision that was made yesterday by any means," said Ducks winger Jakob Silfverberg as he spoke to local media ahead of the final home game of his NHL career tomorrow night.

Silfverberg announced this morning that he was retiring from the NHL after this season. The Ducks have three games remaining, a home-away back-to-back against Calgary and Los Angeles before their season finale in Las Vegas on Apr. 18.

"It's been something that's been made a while back," continued Silfverberg. "Kind of slowly been preparing for it, but still a weird feeling. Last game tomorrow at Honda Center, so I've been trying to prepare for it as best as I can. I'm just going to try and enjoy it, have a lot of fun with it and hopefully, we can have a good game. It's going to be a special night, that's for sure."

The veteran has dealt with various health issues throughout the last three years, with blood clots and hip surgery keeping him out of the lineup. But the 33-year-old has been relatively healthy the last two seasons, playing in 81 games last season and expected to play in 81 this season as well.

With his contract expiring after the season and his children and parents both getting older, Silfverberg felt the time was right to move his family back to Sweden.

There is a possibility that Silfverberg will play for Brynäs, his hometown club, next season. He played for them from age 15 to age 20 before moving to North America to play for the Senators.

"I still feel excited to play," he said. "We'll see what happens, but, obviously, I can't say much more than that. There's definitely not a full retirement (from hockey), I'll say that. Whatever happens, we'll have to wait and see."