NHL News: Ray Whitney Announces Retirement

42 year old Ray Whitney has announced his retirement from the National Hockey League (NHL) as a player to finish an illustrious career which started way back in 1991. Known as “The Wizard”, Whitney has recorded 1,064 points with 385 goals and 679 assists in 1,330 regular season games that started with the San Jose Sharks which drafted him the 23rd overall pick in the 1991 NHL Draft.Whitney stayed with the Sharks until 1997 and also suited up for the Edmonton Oilers in 1997-1998, Florida Panthers from 1997 to 2001, Columbus Blue Jackets in 2001-2002, Detroit Red Wings in 2003-2004, Carolina Hurricanes from 2005 to 2010, Phoenix Coyotes from 2010 to 2012 and his last team the Dallas Stars from 2012 to 2014."For the past 23 years, I have had the privilege of earning my living playing hockey in the National Hockey League," Whitney said in an official statement about his retirement."Along the way, I have made countless memories and friendships, which I will always cherish. Every city I played in, the fans welcomed my family and me with open arms, and I couldn't be more thankful for that. I also wanted to take this opportunity to thank all of my teammates and coaches, especially the 2006 Stanley Cup team in Carolina. I was lucky to have great agents at CAA Sports, who stood by me through the good times and the tough times. I want to say a special thank you to my parents, who gave me the chance to do what I loved. Finally, I want to thank my wife Brijet, and our three beautiful children, who have been incredibly supportive of me throughout my career. Without them, I wouldn't have been able to live my dream.”Jim Rutherford, the current general manager for the Pittsburgh Penguins and who handled Whitney in Carolina said that Whitney had a “terrific career” and remember Whitney as one of the key players during his Hurricanes stint in the mid-to-late 2000s.Email j.gloria@IBTimes.com.au to contact author of this article.