39-year-old Koivu ends his 18-year NHL career

Saku Koivu has retired after an 18-year NHL career with the Anaheim Ducks and the Montreal Canadiens.

The four-time Finnish Olympic medalist and cancer survivor announced his decision through the NHL Players’ Association on Wednesday. The Ducks decided they wouldn’t attempt to re-sign Koivu last summer.

Koivu spent his first 13 NHL seasons with Montreal, becoming the first European-born captain of the team in 1999. He signed with the Ducks in 2009, playing five seasons on the West Coast.

“All in all, it has been a dream come true,’’ Koivu, 39, said in a statement. “But what I value the most in hockey is the feeling of being part of a team and the friendships I have made along the way. ... I have been contemplating retirement for quite some time and am very confident in my decision at this time and place.’’

Koivu missed nearly the entire 2001-02 season while undergoing treatment for non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. He recovered in time to play in the final three games of the regular season, helping Montreal make the playoffs.

Koivu won the Bill Masterton Trophy in 2002 for perseverance, sportsmanship and dedication. He also won the King Clancy Memorial Trophy for leadership and humanitarian work in 2007.

He was the Canadiens captain from 1999 to 2009, tying Jean Beliveau as the longest-serving captain in Montreal history. While never a goal-scoring star, Koivu twice was voted to the NHL All-Star game in recognition of his dependable two-way game.

“My time in Montreal was special beyond playing hockey,’’ said Koivu. “Thank you to the fans and lovely people of Montreal for your support and love, and for providing my family and me with wonderful memories that we will always cherish, as well as the immense support during my illness.’’

After joining the Ducks as a free agent in 2009, Koivu frequently teamed up on a line with countryman Teemu Selanne.

He cracked the Ducks’ franchise top 10 in goals and assists while scoring 191 points in 332 games with Anaheim, but Koivu occasionally struggled with injuries as his scoring production dropped over the past two seasons.

Koivu had 255 goals and 577 assists in 1,124 career NHL games, but never advanced past the second round of the playoffs. He scored a career-high 75 points for Montreal during the 2006-07 season.

Koivu also served as Finland’s captain for each of his four Olympic trips.

Koivu previously said he plans to keep living in Irvine, California, with his wife and two children after retirement.

AP