NEWARK, USA – Patrik Elias announced his retirement from hockey on 31 March. The 40-year-old’s impressive IIHF resume includes four Olympics and four World Championships. The all-time leader in New Jersey Devils scoring (408-617-1,025) played all 20 of his NHL seasons with that club.

“For the past few months, I have weighed this decision both physically and mentally,” Elias said. “I am happy to say this provides me and my family with closure.”

Elias, who captained the 2010 Czech Olympic team in Vancouver, won Olympic bronze in 2006 in Turin, and added two more bronzes at the 1998 and 2011 Worlds. Yet as the 77th-highest scorer in NHL history and a winner of two Stanley Cups (2000, 2003), the canny, all-around forward will likely be best-remembered for his pro career. Next season, his number 26 will be retired alongside those of Devils icons including Martin Brodeur, Scott Niedermayer, Ken Daneyko, and Scott Stevens.

The Trebic native assisted on Jason Arnott’s Cup-clinching overtime goal that brought New Jersey its first title ever in 2000. Elias was named an NHL First Team All-Star when he scored a franchise-record 96 points in 2000-01.

“I came here 22 years ago to play hockey, to do what I loved since I was five years old,” Elias said. "I was able to play with great teammates, embrace the camaraderie and team spirit of being a Devil, and bring home a Stanley Cup on two occasions.”

Chosen in the second round of the 1994 NHL Draft (51st overall) by New Jersey, the 185-cm, 86-kg forward would wear Devils colors in 1,240 regular season games (93rd all-time) and 162 playoff games (tied with Jean Beliveau and Dave Andreychuk for 43rd all-time).

Elias leaves as the second all-time leading Czech scorer in NHL history after Jaromir Jagr of the Florida Panthers (1,910 points). He will likely retain that status for years to come. His nearest active competition is Radim Vrbata of the Phoenix Coyotes (607 points).

Now, Elias will have more time to spend with his wife Petra and their six-year-old daughter Sophia. A knee injury limited him to 16 games last year, and he did not play this season, but he will take the pre-game skate with the Devils before their home finale versus the New York Islanders on 8 April. Undoubtedly, he will have a place in the organization if he so desires, and the Czech national team could also use his insights. But for now, he’s earned the right to enjoy his retirement.

LUCAS AYKROYD