Scott Gomez is retiring from the NHL after 16 seasons.

"This has been my life,'' he told the newspaper. "It's so weird to think I'm never going to play hockey again.

"People say, 'You'll find something.' But saying that, there will never be that feeling again, of even playing a preseason NHL game. You're playing at the highest level there is.

"But I'm done. I'm done.''

Gomez, 36, was released by the St. Louis Blues last December, finishing his final season with one goal and eight assists.

He began his career with the New Jersey Devils, winning the Calder Memorial Trophy in 1999-2000 as the NHL's top rookie. He won two Stanley Cups in his first three seasons with the Devils.