Marian Hossa Retires from NHL After 19 Seasons

Three-time Stanley Cup winner Marian Hossa is retiring from the NHL after 19 seasons. 

Hossa, 39, told Slovak newspaper Novy cas (via NHL.com) he won't return to the ice as he continues to deal with a progressive skin disorder that forced him to miss the 2017-18 season. 

"I'm done playing hockey," Hossa said. "I have a contract with Chicago for the next three years, but I have to watch my health, and my body says the comeback is not possible."

Hossa added that while he received medication to treat the disorder, the side effects prevented him from continuing his playing career. 

"Before the season, the NHL sent me to a clinic in Minneapolis to see a specialist who confirmed that it's impossible to play hockey when using those [anti-allergic] medicaments," he said. "I have to be aware of what might happen and I don't want to get back to the state I had been in during the previous seasons."

Selected 12th overall in the 1997 NHL draft, Hossa spent the first seven years of his career with the Ottawa Senators prior to a series of brief stays with the Atlanta Thrashers, Pittsburgh Penguins and Detroit Red Wings. 

Hossa then signed with the Chicago Blackhawks before the 2009-10 season, and that fruitful partnership lasted eight years. During that run, Hossa helped lead the Blackhawks to Stanley Cup titles in 2010, 2013 and 2015. 

During 1,309 career games, Hossa tallied 1,134 points, including 525 goals and 609 assists. According to Hockey Reference, Hossa and Jarome Iginla are the only players who racked up at least 1,100 points and 500 goals between 1997 and 2017.