Kyle Okposo, who won a Cup in his final game with Panthers, announces retirement [Video]

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. (AP) — Kyle Okposo is going out as a Stanley Cup champion.

Okposo, who played 17 seasons in the NHL and finished that run as part of the Florida team that won a title last season, announced his retirement on Thursday.

The former Buffalo Sabres captain made the announcement on social media, bringing an end to an NHL career that started when the New York Islanders drafted him with the No. 7 overall pick in 2006.

In a letter distributed by CAA, which represents Okposo, he called his 30 years playing hockey “incredible.”

“It brought me to some amazing places and provided such unique experiences,” Okposo wrote. “I believe the game is in a great place right now, but the possibilities are vast. I’m looking forward to continuing to contribute to the game as it reaches new heights.”

Okposo had 242 goals and 372 assists in 1,051 NHL regular-season games, all but six of those contests coming …