Chris Drury retires

DP · Aug 19, 2011

After 12 seasons and more than 600 points, Chris Drury has retired from the NHL according to a release Friday from the NHL Players Association.

Drury played in 892 games for the Colorado Avalanche, Calgary Flames, Buffalo Sabres and the New York Rangers, and he finished his career with 255 goals and 615 points.

A third-round pick in the 1994 Entry Draft, Drury starred at Boston University for four seasons before joining the Colorado franchise for the 1998-99 season. Drury won the Hobey Baker Award in 1997-98 as the top player in college hockey, and captured the Calder Memorial Trophy with the Avalanche the next season.

Drury won the Stanley Cup with Colorado in 2001, and after a year in Calgary he had his best offensive seasons with Buffalo after arriving in a trade before the 2003-04 season. He had 30 goals and 67 points in 2005-06 and topped that with 37 goals and 69 points the next season.

He was also known as a strong defensive forward, and for his production in the postseason. Drury had 11 goals and 16 points during the Avalanche's Cup run in 2001, and finished with 47 goals and 89 points in 135 career postseason contests.

Drury signed a five-year, $35.25 million contract with the Rangers on July 1, 2007 and had 25 goals and 58 points in his first season, but those numbers slipped to 14 goals and 32 points by the 2009-10 campaign and he was only able to play 24 games this past season because of multiple injuries.

"Throughout his career, Chris Drury was always a great competitor, a tremendous leader and teammate, and the heart and soul type of player that every team would love to have," Rangers GM Glen Sather. "His commitment, determination and will to win were apparent each and every day. Those characteristics will have a lasting impact on all those who were fortunate enough to learn from Chris over his 12 years in the National Hockey League."

The Rangers bought out the final two years of Drury's contract, and made him an unrestricted free agent. He was expected to miss the entire 2011-12 season because of a knee injury.

Drury represented the United States in three Olympics, winning silver medals in 2002 and 2010. He also won a bronze medal in the 2004 world championships, and played for the U.S. in the World Cup of Hockey in 2004.

A Trumbull, Conn., native, Drury earned national recognition first in baseball when he pitched Trumball to the Little League World Series title in 1989.
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Wow.

speeds · Aug 19, 2011

Never liked saying his name. Makes you sound like you're having a stroke.

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Chris Drury retires

DP He shoots, he scores!

speeds $2.50 highball, $1.50 beer Staff Member Administrator GFX Team

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Chris Drury retires

DP He shoots, he scores!

speeds $2.50 highball, $1.50 beer Staff Member Administrator GFX Team

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