In a text message to Ticinonews, the Finnish International writes that "it was a difficult decision to make, but the right one." It was surprsing in itself that he was able to play this season at all, since he suffered some serious injuries last season.
The 40-year-old forward has had an outstanding career.Drafted by the San José Sharks in the third round of the NHL Entry Draft in 1993, he went on to play 382 games in the NHL and scored 198 points (52 goals, 96 assists) for the San José Sharks, the Nashville Predators and the Florida Panthers.
However, he always had to return to Europe between engagements in the NHL, since he never really could establish himself as an NHL player. After the end of his career as a Nashville Predator in 2001, he joined Jokerit Helsinki for two seasons and then joined the National League A in 2003.
The Finnish international played over 130 games for HC Lugano and put up impressive 176 points (75 goals, 101 assists) for them. Having been captain of Jokerit in the Finnish Liiga, it took him only one season to receive the same honour in Lugano. He remained their captain for two years, won the championship with them in 05/06 and then went back to playing in the NHL in 2006, this time for the Florida Panthers.
After a short stint in the KHL with Dinamo Minsk, he then joined in 2010 the team, where he played his first games as a professional hockey player: HIFK in the Finnish Liiga.
He ends his career with the team, he started out with and captained since 2010. In what will be now his last season with HIFK, he has scored 13 goals and 28 assists in 50 games.
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