EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. (AP) -- New Jersey Devils defenceman Scott Stevens announced his retirement after more than two decades in the NHL on Tuesday, saying a year off showed him that he could live without hockey.
"I think the game is more mental than physical. You have to be in tremendous shape, but you have to want to do it in your head," the 41-year-old Stevens said. "At this point in my career I didn't think I could put the mental parts there every day, and that's a big part of playing this game."
General manager Lou Lamoriello said Stevens, a 13-time all-star who has played more NHL games than any other defenceman during his 22 seasons, has "been an integral part of all the success we've had."
"He's been a leader on and off the ice as a hockey player and a person. He feels he's accomplished a lot of things and now wants to devote a lot of time to his family," Lamoriello said.
He added that Stevens will stay with the organization in some capacity.
"I've said all along that the door has been open for Scott to make the decision that's right for him," Lamoriello said. "We would have welcomed him back and wouldn't have thought twice about it. He didn't want it to be a distraction during training camp."
