After 17 seasons, Sean O'Donnell told ESPN.com on Wednesday he is retiring from the NHL.

The 41-year-old defenseman, who played in 51 games for the Blackhawks last season, failed to draw interest from any teams this week when training camps opened.

"I've been thinking about it for a while," O'Donnell said. "I wasn't shocked when I wasn't signed heading into camp. I was always hoping that when things got settled (on the labor front) that there would be an opportunity. I always figured if, when camps did open and I didn't have anything, I would pack it in."