Ciccarelli Calls It Quits

Dino Ciccarelli is retiring after 19 seasons in the NHL, according to a published report.

The 39-year-old will announce the end of his playing career Wednesday, he told his hometown newspaper, the Sarnia Observer.

He was troubled by a back injury last season and played only 14 games for the Florida Panthers.

"I've always heard people say you will know when it's time to call it quits. I know for sure it's time for me to go," he said from his home in Yale, Mich.

The right-winger is ninth on NHL all-time goal scoring with 608 goals - two behind Bobby Hull. He also had 592 assists in 1,232 NHL games.

"I'm retiring because of my back injury," he said. "I tried skating a bit last week and the same soreness and stiffness was there. There's no use kidding myself anymore."

Ciccarelli broke into the NHL with the Minnesota North Stars in 1981.

He also played in Washington, Detroit, and Tampa Bay before being traded to Florida last year.

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