NHL Short Notes

 FLEURY OFFICIALLY RETIRES

 On Monday in a press conference 41 year-old Theoren Fleury officially announced his retirement after being cut from the Calgary Flames on what was a tryout contract. “I could not sign with another team,” Fleury who scored 455 goals and 1,088 points in a 15- year career with four different teams said. “I retire a Calgary Flame.”  In a bit of a shocking move Fleury was released even though he scored four points in as many games during pre-season play. In his career Fleury who was attempting to make a comeback after a six year NHL absence gained popularity in Calgary where he scored 830 points in 791 games. His biggest thrill came in 1989 when as a Calgary rookie he got to lift the Stanley Cup. In his press conference the most important point that Fleury made was that he is at peace with himself and has no regrets in trying to comeback.

 YZERMAN WANTS GRETZKY INPUT WITH TEAM CANADA

The Phoenix Coyotes loss just might end up being Team Canada’s gain. Days after Wayne Gretzky stepped down as coach of the financially challenged Phoenix Coyotes, Steve Yzerman who is the executive director of Team Canada has said that he plans on contacting Gretzky and asking about his future. Gretzky who was heavily involved with Team Canada in the past two Olympics is currently in limbo trying to decide what he wants to do next. Yzerman who is going in the Hockey Hall Of Fame this coming November took Gretzky’s position last year and has since been busy picking the most competitive Team Canada for the upcoming winter Olympics.   

 KOSTITSYN SENT TO THE AHL

In a shocking move the Montreal Canadiens brain trust assigned forward Sergei Kostitsyn to the AHL’s Hamilton Bulldogs. What makes this a surprise is that the 22 year-old played in 56 games last year for Montreal where he produced eight goals and 15 assists.