Henrik Zetterberg ends his career.

Zetterberg saw a specialist in New York last week and found out he had a degenerative condition on the back. Rather than assume other risks and affect his quality of life, he announced Friday morning at Wings Trainer's Camp in Traverse City that he had decided not to not play.

"He made the decision to no longer risk playing professional hockey," said Wings GM Ken Holland. "He has a degenerative condition in the back. Part of the degenerative condition in his back is arthritis. Nothing can be done, no back surgery, no rebab, no more free time will have a positive impact, and if he played professional hockey, it would accelerate the degeneration.

"If he suffered a bad blow, he was at risk of a major back surgery and Henrik decided that his quality of life was more important than taking the risk of a back operation."

Mr. Holland said Mr. Zetterberg would be placed on a long reserve period for the injured, rather than retiring. The Red Wings will benefit from a reduction in their salary cap of just over $ 6 million.

Zetterberg showed a brief emotion, but was comfortable with the decision at a brief press conference at ICE Arena 's Traverse City Center.

"Of course, it's moving, it's been 15 years here," Zetterberg said. "Even though I knew I was on my last two years, I would have liked to be able to play a little longer."

Zetterberg began not to practice in January, around the middle of last season, to save himself from games.

"From January, something was wrong," Zetterberg said. "I found a way to play throughout the season and in the summer, I hoped to be a little better.

"I went to see Dr. Camissa (in New York) last week and the final results, nothing really changed."

Zetterberg feels strong links with the organization and his past and present teammates, who made the decision not to play emotionally.

"Detroit and the Red Wings have been such a big part of our lives," said Zetterberg. "We (his wife and him) have spent our lives here and we have an American son. She knows what I have lived and I think she is happy not to have to do it.

"But at the same time, she also knows that I want to play a hockey team at the end of last year."

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