Hasek Retires

NHL teams

"Winning the Cup has been everything I could ever ask for," Hasek said. "After 21 years of playing professional hockey at the highest level, I do not feel that I have enough fire in me to compete at the level that I expect of myself."

Hasek is one of the most accomplished goaltenders in history with six Vezina Trophies as the NHL's best goalie, two Hart Trophies as the league's MVP, and a gold medal with the Olympic champion Czech Republic at the 1998 Nagano Games.

Hasek plans to move back to his native Czech Republic with his family. He has said in the past that the longer he stayed in the United States, the harder his son Michael's adjustment would be to life in the Czech Republic.

"We're all a little disappointed, but when you listen to the reasons he's doing it, you can't disagree or argue," Detroit captain Steve Yzerman said. "It's a decision between him and his wife, not me and him, or Dominik and the Red Wings. He doesn't live in Toronto or Chicago. He's a long ways from home, and he wants to live there."

Hasek's announcement follows that of coach Scotty Bowman, who retired the night the Red Wings won the Cup.

"He left from the top, and I can say the same thing," Hasek said. "It's a dream of many athletes."