Detroit Red Wings goaltender Chris Osgood ended the speculation and announced during a conference call that he has decided to retire from professional hockey. Originally people were assuming Osgood was set to come back, but it turns out he opted for retirement instead.
Osgood leaves the game of hockey (as a player) with 401 career wins. 317 of them came with him in a Red Wings uniform, including 16 in the 1998 NHL playoffs and 14 in the 2008 playoffs. Those two years Osgood led the Red Wings to Stanley Cup titles as a starter. He captured another Cup as a backup in 1997 and came within one game of winning a third ring as a starter in 2009.
Osgood retires as the 10th winningest goalie all-time in the NHL. He finishes second on the Red Wings' all-time list behind Terry Sawchuk for wins with the team. Osgood's list of career achievements also includes two William M. Jennings Trophies, two All-Star Game appearances, and one career goal, which he scored against the Hartford Whalers in 1996.
Although Osgood is leaving the game of hockey as a player, he is staying with the Red Wings as a goalie consultant. He will get to work with the team's goalie prospects and stay around the team even after his playing days are done. Kirk Maltby and Chris Chelios also took jobs with the Red Wings after they retired, and Kris Draper may be next on the list with a decision about his future looming.