Blake officially hangs up skates after 20 seasons

Hockey Betting Lines

06/18/2010 - San Jose, CA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - San Jose Sharks defenseman Rob Blake announced his retirement on Friday after 20 NHL seasons.

The 40-year-old notched seven goals and 30 points with a plus-14 rating and 60 penalty minutes in 70 regular-season games last season for San Jose, his second with the club. He added a goal and two points in 15 playoff tilts as the Sharks were swept in the Western finals by Chicago.

Since breaking into the NHL during the 1989-90 season with Los Angeles, Blake has compiled 240 goals, 777 points and 1,679 minutes in penalties over 1,270 career games.

"I was very fortunate to play 20 years in the NHL," said Blake. "I would like to thank [Sharks general manager] Doug Wilson and the San Jose Sharks for allowing me this opportunity to say thank you to the teammates and organizations that have helped make this a very memorable journey. I also want to thank my family for all of their support throughout my career."

The Canadian was the recipient of the Norris Trophy as the league's top defenseman in 1998 while playing for the Kings and won a Stanley Cup in 2001 as a member of the Colorado Avalanche.

Blake is just one of 24 players who can claim to have won a World Championship (1994 and '97), Olympic gold medal (2002) and Stanley Cup (2001).

"What Rob Blake has accomplished over the course of his hockey career speaks for itself," said Wilson. "The standard that he helped bring into our dressing room will be felt by our organization and players for years to come."

An All-Rookie Team choice in 1991, Blake also made seven All-Star Game appearances. He was also a Norris Trophy finalist in 2000 and 2002, and was selected as a First-Team NHL All-Star in 1998 with three Second-Team selections.

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