Danny Briere retires from NHL after 17 seasons

Ex-Flyers center Danny Briere, whose six seasons with the club included the most prolific playoff performance in franchise history, announced his retirement as a player Monday after a 17-year professional career that included 973 NHL games.

"After taking a few weeks to think about it, it's time to hang them up and spend a little more time at home with the family," Briere said in a statement. "I've been very, very fortunate to have a chance to play with some great organizations, but at this point the family becomes a priority. The Flyers are where I played the bulk of my career. I've had a great time in Philadelphia and have been very, very fortunate to have had the chance to play here."

Briere, 37, thanked club chairman Ed Snider, current club president Paul Holmgren and former club president Peter Luukko, along with coaches, staff, fans and his teammates.

"It's been a great ride in an area that I still call home."

He plans to remain living in Haddonfield.

Briere recorded 307 goals and 389 assists for 696 points with Phoenix, Buffalo, the Flyers, Montreal and Colorado. The Quebec native was originally a first-round selection (24th overall) of the Coyotes in the 1996 draft, which followed an exceptional 1995-96 junior season for Drummondville of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League.

Briere led the QMJHL that year with 67 goals and 96 assists for 163 points,

In 2010, Briere sparked the Flyers to the Stanley Cup Finals. During that playoff run, he led the NHL and set a new franchise record with 30 playoff points (12 goals, 18 assists) in 23 games, eclipsing the record of 28 set by Brian Propp in 1987. Four of the 12 goals were game-winners.