T1B

11:18 PM EDT, 10/15/2005
Veteran star scorer Brett Hull decides to retire from Phoenix Coyotes

GLENDALE, Ariz. (CP) - Ultimately, Brett Hull couldn't turn back time, especially after spending 18 months waiting for the NHL to get its house in order.

After playing just five games with the Phoenix Coyotes this season, the 41-year-old decided to hang up his skates for good on Saturday, ending a 20-year career that saw him become the third highest goal scorer in NHL history.

"I realized I wasn't who I thought I was," Hull said, his voice choking with emotion. "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, who scored 741 goals and 1,391 points, had to stop to gain control of his emotions, with his three children, fiance and several former teammates looking on.

The announcement came two hours before the Coyotes faced his former team, the Detroit Red Wings.

"There's an old expression, and I don't know who said it - 'The mind is willing but the body isn't,"' Hull said. "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."

Hull signed as a free agent with the Coyotes on Aug. 6, 2004, lured by Wayne Gretzky, who was leaning toward becoming the team's coach.

"While we respect the decision Brett has made today, we regret seeing him go," Coyotes GM Mike Barnett told the Canadian Press in a telephone interview.

Hull first broached the retirement subject with Gretzky and Barnett after Thursday night's 5-4 shootout loss to the Nashville Predators.

Gretzky and Barnett told Hull to take a day or two to mull it over before making a final decision. Hull met with Barnett and Gretzky on Saturday morning and told them he was indeed going to retire.

"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."

When Hull joined the Coyotes, he found it hard to keep up with the younger players. He had one assist in the five games he played.

Only Gretzky and Gordie Howe have more goals than Hull in NHL history.

"I was probably more emotional today about him retiring than I was the day I retired," Gretzky said. "It's a new beginning for him and his family. I told him today he's going to look forward with a lot of great times with his kids and his fiance. His records speak for themselves. He's a consummate professional. My dad told me today that I ran an 800 goal-scorer out of hockey."

Hull was slated to earn $1.69 million US this season.

The Coyotes will likely get some salary cap relief with his retirement. If Hull signs a Voluntarily Retired List league form - which means he can't return to the NHL for a year - then his salary, minus his the first paycheque which arrived Friday, is wiped off the books for Phoenix. A source indicated he would sign the form.

Before the Coyotes' home opener a week ago, Hull's father, Hall of Famer Bobby Hull, had his No. 9 "un-retired" so his son Brett could wear it this season. The Hulls are the only father-son players to each top 600 goals.

Brett Hull's career started with Calgary during the 1986 Stanley Cup final and took him through St. Louis, Dallas, Detroit and Phoenix. 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'll never forget that," said Maple Leafs goalie Ed Belfour, who played with Hull in Dallas. "It was the first and only Cup I've won so I'm thankful.

"He was just an unbelievably skilled player who always scored the big goals for us. And he also had a sense of humour, there were a lot of good jokes in the locker-room."

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.

Hull said he wanted to stay in the game, perhaps in management, but never as a coach.

"I don't care what anyone says," he said, "it's the best sport there is."

Cross Traffic wrote:He will not be eligible for the HOF until 09.

He really has a great career in hockey management with his big yap. :roll: Best he can hope to be is a scout.

Joey Moss wrote:I'm sad to see him go even though I've always kinda thought he was an arrogant ass.

Joey Moss wrote:I'm sad to see him go even though I've always kinda thought he was an arrogant ass.

Otis wrote:

Joey Moss wrote:I'm sad to see him go even though I've always kinda thought he was an arrogant ass.

Don't worry, I'll be around until some French guy beats the crap out of me.

Sincerely,

Hapday wrote:If Don Cherry ever decides to retire, I hope Hull takes his place.

Hapday wrote:The NHL needs more Brett Hull's. He wasn't afraid to speak his mind and he was 100% correct in his criticism of the NHL. If Don Cherry ever decides to retire, I hope Hull takes his place.

Mustang wrote:He still lives in Dallas.

Bizzarofelice wrote:

Hapday wrote:If Don Cherry ever decides to retire, I hope Hull takes his place.

Can't rack this enough.

Hapday wrote:Communist Broadcast Corporation

Cicatrix wrote:His boyfriend gets bitchy if he uses the "c" word.