Ex-Rangers captain Chris Drury retires

Undated file photo of Chris Drury. The Rangers bought out Drury's contract on June 29. Credit: Getty Images
Chris Drury, the veteran forward who captained the Rangers for the final three seasons of his 12-year NHL career, has retired. The announcement came from the NHLPA.
Drury, who turns 35 tomorrow, had a significant left knee problem last season that required Feb. surgery ---as well as a twice-broken finger---and played in just 24 games.
The ultracompetitive Drury managed just one goal and four assists, and dearly wanted to contribute more. The Rangers bought out the fifth and final year of his $37.5 million contract on June 29 and he became an unrestricted free agent.
It is unclear what prompted his decision at this time. One school of thought is that Drury's damaged knee---which coach John Tortorella described as a "chronic" issue in April---will prevent him from contributing for a full season, even in a limited role, for another club. Drury, who is not being made available for interviews, is married with three children.
Drury, a Trumbull, Conn., native who won a Stanley Cup in Colorado in 2001 (he scored 11 goals in those playoffs), had 62 goals and 89 assists in 264 regular season games for the Rangers. Many Rangers fans believe he did not produce enough to warrant the contract, which he signed, along with center Scott Gomez, in 2007.
Drury's athletic career, which began with a Little League World Series championship in 1989, also included a Hobey Baker Award at BU, a Calder Trophy in 98-99, and two silver medals with Team USA at the Olympics in 2002 and 2010.