"Three days before his 40th birthday, Owen Nolan formally hung up his skates Wednesday afternoon, retiring with the San Jose Sharks organization where he made his biggest impact in the NHL.

The onetime Sharks captain played 568 of his 1,200 games for the Sharks in a career that saw him wear the jerseys of seven teams. But it was in San Jose that he came to represent the team itself -- a pugnacious group coached by Darryl Sutter with a star player who reflected that same, tough approach to the game.

"Today I'm announcing my retirement," Nolan said, before pausing to regain his composure. "I guess I've known this day was here for a while. When your body won't do what your mind and heart are willing to do, it's time to move on.""