Biggest Retirements of 2009

A top power forward for 21 seasons, Shanahan scored 656 goals, good for 11th all time, and retired as the only player in NHL history to reach the 600 mark while amassing 2,000 penalty minutes. Rugged but cerebral, he was an eight-time All-Star who skated for the Devils (twice), Blues, Whalers, Rangers, and Red Wings, with whom he won three Stanley Cups. His most significant contribution to hockey was during the 2004-05 lockout when he convened and spearheaded a conference of players, coaches, GMs, owners, agents and TV executives that helped create the "New NHL" of more penalty calls, the shootout, the two-line pass, and other offense-oriented rules changes as well as a competition committee that included active players.