NHL Veteran Ryan Smyth Set to Retire After 18-Year Career

According to the Canadian Press (h/t Sportsnet.ca), longtime Edmonton Oiler and 18-year NHL veteran Ryan Smyth announced on Friday that he will be retiring at season's end.

Smyth was drafted by Edmonton back in 1994 and spent all but four of his 18 seasons in an Oilers uniform.

The Oilers' official Twitter account recorded Smyth's retirement speech in a series of tweets:

Very well-liked among his teammates, coaching staff, Edmonton's front office and Oilers fans, Smyth's departure from the team has brought on plenty of praise for No. 94.

General manager Craig MacTavish had some lofty words for Smyth:

Known for his prowess around the net, Smyth was a master of creating power-play goals. He has 125 to his name throughout his career as an Oiler—tying Glenn Anderson for Edmonton's all-time mark.

Oilers play-by-play announcer Jack Michaels tweeted that Smyth will have one final chance to hold that record on his own:

What a great finish it would be for this Edmonton legend to finish his prestigious career with a flourish and find the back of the net once more to go out in the wave of glory that he deserves.

Smyth's current career stats stand at 1,269 games played, 386 goals, 456 assists, 159 power-play goals and 121 power-play assists.