Toronto, ON -- Veteran defenseman Phil Housley officially retired after 21 seasons and 1,495 contests in the NHL.

The 39-year-old Housley, a native of St. Paul, Minnesota, decided he would not return for the 2003-04 season unless he could play close to his home. After the Wild expressed little interest in the veteran blue-liner, Housley opted to hang up the skates.

Housley collected more points (1,232) than any other NHL player born in the United States. He participated in seven NHL All-Star Games and ended his career with 338 goals and 894 assists.

Housley also played in 85 postseason games during his career and tallied 13 goals and 43 assists.

He was drafted sixth overall by Buffalo in the 1982 NHL Entry Draft. In addition to the Sabres, Housley also had stints with Winnipeg, St. Louis, Calgary, New Jersey, Washington, Chicago and Toronto.