Giguere announces retirement

Aug 21, 2014 - 7:42 PM Denver, CO (SportsNetwork.com) - Jean-Sebastien Giguere, who patrolled NHL creases for 16 seasons and spent last year as a backup with the Colorado Avalanche, announced his retirement on Thursday.

"On behalf of the Colorado Avalanche, I would like to congratulate Jean- Sebastien on an outstanding hockey career. His achievements speak for themselves, from winning the Stanley Cup to winning the Conn Smythe, Jiggy was always a top-notch goaltender," said Joe Sakic, Avs executive vice president of hockey operations. "He was also a very important part of our team during the past three seasons, providing veteran leadership and stability in net. We wish him and his family the best of luck."

Giguere finished 11-6-1 with a 2.62 goals-against average and two shutouts over 22 appearances for the surprise Central Division champions in 2013-14, his third and final campaign for the club.

A former first-round pick (13th overall) of the Hartford Whalers in the 1995 draft, Giguere made his NHL debut during the 1996-97 season, but didn't catch on for good until landing in Anaheim during for the 2000-01 campaign.

Three seasons later, Giguere became the fifth and last player in league history to win the Conn Smythe Trophy as a member of the losing team as his Mighty Ducks fell in a seven-game Stanley Cup Finals to New Jersey.

A three-time All-Star selection, Giguere amassed a regular-season record of 262-216-75 while racking up a 2.53 GAA and 38 whitewashes over 597 appearances for the Whalers, Flames, Ducks, Leafs and Avalanche. His playoff marks stand at 33-17, 2.08 and six shutouts over 52 contests.