Veteran Forward Bobby Holik Retires

New Jersey Devils' center Bobby Holik announced on May 23 that he will be retiring from hockey to spend more time with his family. Holik signed a one-year contract last summer with the Devils and returning to the team that he spent most of his NHL career with. In 62 games last season with the Devils, he scored four goals and five assists for nine points. He missed 18 games early in the 2008-09 season with a broken finger. In 1314 career games, Holik scored 326 goals and 421 assists for 747 points and 1421 penalty minutes with the Hartford Whalers, New Jersey Devils, New York Rangers, and Atlanta Thrashers. He won the Stanley Cup in 1995 and 2000, both with the Devils. Holik was a tremendous forward throughout his NHL career, although it appeared age was starting to catch up with him since the lockout in 2005. He was a decent scorer and passer who played with plenty of toughness and was also a key figure in helping the Devils capture their first two Stanley Cups. He also helped transform the Devil's into yearly Stanley Cup contender, who up until the mid-1990's were consistently one of the worst teams in the league. Holik has accomplished a lot during his 17-season career and his skills on the ice will be missed by the Devils.