SO LONG, MR. SLAP SHOT:

Al MacInnis retires after 23 seasons (Reuters, 9/09/05)

St Louis Blues defenseman Al MacInnis has retired after 23 seasons in the NHL.

"His accomplishments will serve as a significant part of this organization's permanent history and lore," said Blues president Mark Sauer in a statement.

"We look forward to honoring him this season during a special night and allowing all of our fans to applaud him on the ice once again."

An eye injury suffered in October 2003 led to the 42-year-old MacInnis's retirement, according to the NHL's official Web site.

"There's not always a storybook ending to everyone's career and no one wants to end their career on an injury or lockout," MacInnis told the Belleville (Illinois) News-Democrat in May.

"But I've played a long time, played probably 21 more years than I thought I ever would. In that sense I'm very fortunate and very lucky."

Another all-time great defensemen hangs up his skates. A few days ago, we praised Scott Stevens' checking; with MacInnis, it was his iconic slapshot. I had season tickets right behind the net for the LA Kings for many years. The sound of a MacInnis slapper hitting the boards or glass was astounding. With Vinny Damphousse also calling it quits this week, and Yzerman, Shanahan, Chelios, Leetch and Hull reaching the end of the road, I'm not sure I'm going to recognize anyone out there in a year or 2 (other than Thornton, Forsberg, Kariya and Iginla)...

Posted by Glenn Dryfoos at September 9, 2005 7:45 PM