Ryan Smyth announces retirement after long NHL career

CTV Edmonton: Ryan Smyth retires After two decades in the NHL, Oilers forward Ryan Smyth announced he was retiring from professional hockey.

After two decades playing with the NHL, Edmonton Oilers forward #94 Ryan Smyth announced Friday that the end of the Oilers’ season, will also mark the end of his professional hockey career.

Back in 1994, Smyth was drafted sixth overall by Edmonton, and spent most of his career in Alberta’s capital.

He has 386 goals and 456 assists in 1,269 games heading into Edmonton's final game.

A long-time player for Team Canada, Smyth earned the nickname “Captain Canada” for his loyalty to the team.

He helped Team Canada win gold at the 2002 Winter Olympics, and headed to the world hockey championship seven straight times.

The Oilers will hit the ice for the last time this season against the Vancouver Canucks at Rexall Place.

With files from The Canadian Press