"Mats Sundin on Wednesday announced his retirement as a player, ending an 18-year career in the NHL.

"It's a little sad to announce that my career as a professional hockey player is over," he told reporters at a press conference in Stockholm.

"I would have loved to play until the age of 65, but as a hockey player you obviously retire a little earlier than that," added the 38-year-old, who began his NHL career with the Quebec Nordiques in 1990 after being drafted in the first round in 1989.

The Swede moved to the Toroto Maple Leafs in 1994 and three years later became the team's first European captain when he succeeded Doug Gilmour, who left the club for the New Jersey Devils in a trade.

Sundin remained captain until leaving the Leafs in 2008 for the Vancouver Canucks in a last attempt to win the Stanley Cup."