After an 18-year NHL career, and an illustrious span as the captain of Finland since 1998, Saku Koivu announced his retirement from the Anaheim Ducks.

Koivu, who famously recovered from non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma while the captain of the Montréal Canadiens, finishes his NHL career as a two-time All Star, and former Masterson and Clancy Trophy winner. But perhaps his biggest accomplishments were with the Leijonat, winning a Silver and three Bronze Olympic medals, a Silver at the 2004 World Cup Of Hockey, and helping to capture Finland’s first ever IIHF World Championship Gold in 1995. Koivu led the 1998 and 2006 Olympics in scoring, and was a three-time World Championships All Star.

Koivu was also a multiple-time IHLC winner, first winning in the Gold Medal Game of the 1995 Worlds, and most recently holding the title as captain of the Finnish squad heading into the 2010 Olympics. We wish Saku and his family the very best for his retirement and the things to come!

Photo Credit: Ilta Sanomat – IIHF – HHOF – IOC