Colorado Avalanche Star Peter Forsberg Set To Retire, Fitting End To Career

After rejoining the Colorado Avalanche for only two games, forward Peter Forsberg will officially announce his retirement this afternoon.

The move may come as a surprise and disappointment to many, as Forsberg only re-signed with the Avalanche less than two weeks ago, and had yet to play a game on home ice.

Despite this, Forsberg's latest comeback attempt can be considered nothing but a success.

Dating back to the 2001-2002 regular season, which he missed all due to what would turn out to be a chronic foot injury, the last decade of Forsberg's career has been bittersweet.

Aside from the 2002-2003 season, in which he won the NHL's Hart Trophy as league MVP, Forsberg wasn't neither able to play often, nor was he able to play at the level he had set for himself.

After toiling in Philadelphia and Nashville between 2005 and 2007, Forsberg tried numerous comebacks, both in the NHL and Swedish Elite League. The best NHL comeback he could muster was in 2007-2008 with the Colorado Avalanche, a nine game stint which was ended in the playoffs after he tore both groin muscles due to overcompensating while skating due to his foot.

This time around, things were different.

At age 37, Forsberg may not have been effective as he was in earlier seasons, nor was he able to help the Avalanche win either of the games that he participated in.

But he was able to do was go out on his own terms.

There was no freak injury, there was no demotion because his play was fading, there was no second guessing. All there was was a great hockey player leaving the game he loved when he decided it was time, not when his body decided.

For a player who's legacy will be forever marred by his injury history, this is a fitting end for one of the most talented players to ever play the game of hockey.