Hull says farewell as player

Brett Hull is retiring from hockey as the third-leading goal scorer in NHL history.
GLENDALE, Ariz. (AP) -- Brett Hull choked back emotion and thanked "everyone who ever touched my life in the game," announcing his retirement on Saturday from a career that left him the third-leading goal scorer in NHL history.
"I wish no one had to do this because it's so hard, it's hard because you never think you're going to grow older and be unable to live up to the expectations you set for yourself," he said.
The 41-year-old Hull, who had one assist in five games for the Phoenix Coyotes in his 20th NHL season, had to stop to gain control of his emotions, with his three children, fiancee and several former teammates looking on.
"There's an old expression, and I don't know who said it -- 'The mind is willing but the body isn't," Hull said.
Playing time diminishing
Coyotes coach Wayne Gretzky is one of his best friends, yet Hull found his minutes on the ice diminishing.
"I realized I wasn't who I thought I was," Hull said. "I wasn't Brett Hull at 30 or 35 even. I was 41 years old and after a year and a half layoff, I didn't have what it took to play in the new game that was so exciting."
Hull's announcement came two hours before the Coyotes faced his former team, the Detroit Red Wings.
"The National Hockey League will miss Brett's skill, his scoring touch and his fun-loving attitude," NHL commissioner Gary Bettman said. "He was a splendid athlete, a passionate player and someone who never hesitated to speak his mind. His achievements further cement the Hull family legacy of hockey greatness."
Hull signed with the Coyotes on Aug. 6, 2004, lured by Gretzky, who was leaning toward becoming the team's coach. There was no 2004-05 season, though, because of the NHL lockout. When Hull joined the team, he found it hard to keep up with the younger players.
Hull's statistics impressive
Hull had 741 goals and 650 assists in a long NHL career with Calgary, St. Louis, Dallas, Detroit and Phoenix. He joined the league with Calgary in the 1986 Stanley Cup finals. He is second on the NHL career list for power- play goals (265) and third in game-winning goals (110).
He won Stanley Cup titles in 1999 with Dallas and 2002 with Detroit. In 1999, he scored a controversial goal in the third overtime to give the Stars a 2-1 victory over Buffalo in the series-ending sixth game.
"I made so many friends, had so many good times," he said.
Hull played in nine All-Star games and was the league MVP in 1991. Hull played for the United States in the 1998 and 2002 Olympics, as well as in three World Cups. He was part of the gold medal World Cup team in 1996.
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