Jonathan Cheechoo announces retirement from hockey

SAN JOSE, Calif. -- Jonathan Cheechoo has retired from hockey after playing seven NHL seasons and finishing with four years in Russia's Kontinental Hockey League.

Cheechoo announced his retirement through the San Jose Sharks on Tuesday. He played six seasons with the Sharks, including 2005-06 when he won the Rocket Richard Trophy for leading the league with 56 goals.

Cheechoo, 37, is a member of the Cree First Nations and grew up more than 500 miles north of Toronto in Moose Factory, Ontario. He played 501 regular-season and 59 playoff games with the Sharks and Ottawa Senators. He had 170 goals and 135 assists for 305 points in his career and will be recognized by the Sharks on March 24 when they host the Calgary Flames.

Sharks general manager Doug Wilson said in a news release that Cheechoo "completed a remarkable journey from one of North America's remote locations to an elite National Hockey League player."

Cheechoo retires eighth on San Jose's career scoring list and sixth in goals. His nine hat tricks are still the most in franchise history.