Mike Brehm

USA TODAY Sports

Center Saku Koivu, who beat cancer and was captain of one of the NHL's most prestigious franchises, announced his retirement on Wednesday after 18 seasons.

Koivu, 39, played 1,124 games between the Montreal Canadiens and Anaheim Ducks and also played in four Olympics for Finland.

He was named the first European-born captain of the Canadiens in 1999, serving 10 seasons, which tied Jean Beliveau for most in franchise history.

He was diagnosed with non-Hodgkins lymphoma after getting sick on a flight to Montreal and missed most of the 2001-02 season while having chemotherapy.

He surprised the hockey world by returning with three regular-season games remaining, helping Montreal secure a playoff berth. He then went on to score 10 points in 12 playoff games and scored 21 goals and 50 assists the following season.

His best season was 2005-06, when he had 22 goals and 53 assists with the Canadiens.

Koivu, whose younger brother Mikko is captain of the Minnesota Wild, spent the last five seasons with the Ducks, adding 64 points and 127 assists to give him career totals of 255 goals, 577 assists and 832 points.

"Saku Koivu is a man among men," tweeted defenseman Sheldon Souray, who played with Koivu on Canadiens and Ducks. "He was an inspiration, a mentor, a friend, and an unbelievable competitor. He showed me what it meant to be a professional in a city that didn't expect anything less than excellence.

"He set the bar high both on and off the ice and truly showed the world what the word 'courage' meant."



Koivu was a star internationally before joining the NHL in 1995-96. He played in the 1994 Olympics and made his mark in the 1995 world championships on the Huey, Dewey and Louie line with Jere Lehtinen and Ville Peltonen.

He won nine medals between the Olympics, world championships, world junior championships and World Cup.

Statement from Saku Koivu

"Looking back at my 22 years of pro hockey first in Finland and then in the NHL I feel truly blessed and fulfilled. I have been contemplating retirement for quite some time and am very confident in my decision at this time and place.

"Making it in hockey is not only about talent and hard work on the part of the athlete. You cannot do it alone no matter how determined you are. I am grateful to so many people along the way that have facilitated and made my career possible.

"I am eternally grateful to Vladimir Jursinov and the TPS organization for recognizing and feeding my strengths at a key time in my youth.

"I want to thank the Finnish Ice Hockey Federation and the coaches, staff and my teammates. It has been an immense privilege for me to represent Finland in international hockey. The successes we achieved together gave me confidence and fueled my ambitions as a player.

"To the late Don Baizley, my agent and friend. You provided me with unmatched professional help, wisdom and genuine friendship rarely experienced in life. You were an example to me of the kind of man I aspired to be. You are and will be missed.

"I want to thank Serge Savard, the late JC Tremblay and the Montreal Canadiens organization for drafting me, believing in me and providing a wonderful place to begin my NHL journey. I also would like to extend special thanks to the Molson family, George Gillett and his family, Bob Gainey and Pierre Boivin. Thank you to my former teammates, coaches and the Montreal Canadiens staff.

"I feel I was truly lucky to have a chance to play for the legendary Canadiens for so many years and serve as captain, and share that great honor with many truly legendary captains from before my time.

"My time in Montreal was special beyond playing hockey. Thank you to the fans and lovely people of Montreal for your support and love, and for providing my family and me with wonderful memories that we will always cherish as well as the immense support during my illness. Thank you with all my heart to Dr. and Mrs. David Mulder and Dr. and Mrs. Blair Whittemore and the staff at Montreal General Hospital for saving my life.

"I am thankful to the Anaheim Ducks organization, Henry and Susan Samueli and Bob Murray for welcoming my family and me to Orange County and giving me an opportunity to play for an amazing organization and a truly great team. I am grateful to them for allowing me to experience NHL hockey in California. Thank you to my teammates, coaches and the Anaheim Ducks staff and to the Ducks' fans. Orange County has truly been a blessing for us.

"All in all it has been a dream come true but what I value the most in hockey is the feeling of being part of a team and the friendships I have made along the way.

"I could not have made it without the loving support of my parents and family. I was blessed with a wonderful childhood and an upbringing that provided me with all I needed to make my career and life what it is today. Thank you Hanna, Ilona and Aatos for loving me as a man and father and supporting my career and sharing the ups and downs of it all. I love you."