Craig Adams, two-time Stanley Cup champion, retires

Veteran NHL forward Craig Adams, a two-time Stanley Cup champion, announced his retirement Tuesday.

"I consider myself very lucky to have been able to live out my dream of playing in the NHL," Adams, 38, said through the NHL Players' Association. "… The opportunity to compete with and against the best players in the world every day was an honor that I never took for granted. I am grateful for my teammates and the friendships I have made over the years. Thanks for the good times, the laughs and the memories. I would also like to express my gratitude to the fans across the NHL. Without the fans the winning, and losing, would not mean nearly as much."

Adams played over 1,000 games in the NHL between regular season and Stanley Cup Playoffs. He won the Stanley Cup in 2006 with the Carolina Hurricanes and again in 2009 with the Pittsburgh Penguins. He also played for the Chicago Blackhawks.

A ninth-round pick (No. 223) by the Hartford Whalers in the 1996 NHL Draft, Adams was a key defensive forward and penalty killer throughout his career. He set career highs during the Hurricanes' championship season of 2005-06 with 10 goals and 21 points.

Adams finished his career playing 70 games with the Penguins last season. He had 55 goals and 160 points in 951 regular-season games, and seven goals and 12 points in 106 playoff games.