Leetch announces retirement from NHL

Brian Leetch officially called it a career yesterday morning, 1,300 NHL games and one Stanley Cup tucked neatly in his portfolio, and by late afternoon he was watching son Jack swing a tennis racket on Boston Common.

No need, said the 39-year-old Leetch, to conjure up a lavish retirement treat.

"I think I'm living it," he said, eager now to be a sports parent and watch his 7-year-old work the baseline. "I'm just having a great time with my family, and with so many friends in the area.

"I think that's the treat."

Leetch, perhaps the most dynamic-skating US-born defenseman in NHL history, was a vital member of the Rangers team that won the Stanley Cup in 1994, ending a 54-year championship drought for the beleaguered Blueshirts. Following his one season (1986-87) at Boston College, he turned pro with the Rangers immediately after his tour with Team USA at the 1988 Calgary Olympics. His final shift came with the Bruins in 2005-06, a season that began with him as a key component on the back line, but ended, in part because of injuries, with the future Hall of Famer not in Boston's future plans.

"I was happy to play in Boston," said Leetch, whose 32 points with the Bruins brought his career total to 1,028, including 247 goals. "It didn't go as planned, but I'm glad I did it."

Leetch, who'll continue to live in downtown Boston with his wife (Mary Beth) and three children (Jack, Riley, and Sean), was all but convinced he would retire last summer, until Rangers coach Tom Renney called with a job offer. The idea to return to New York was tantalizing, said Leetch, but as he began to work out, he soon found a slight disconnect between head and heart.

"Tom said it would be a good fit, and that got me thinking, 'You know, maybe . . .' " recalled Leetch. "But I don't know, it was hard to flip the switch . . . go from the idea of not playing to getting focused again. I didn't want to be back in New York without being able to play at the level I wanted. As the time got closer and closer, I was never at the point where I was comfortable that I felt I could contribute to a team, especially New York, the way I wanted. Then it was October, and then November, I was skating some, but not enough . . . and let's face it, at this age you have to do more and more to be in shape -- you have to work out like [Zdeno] Chara."

By the time midseason rolled around, Leetch said, he knew his playing days were finished. He's looking forward to another year of dad duty before figuring out his next career move. He knows he'll get back in the game, but he's not sure if that will mean on the ice (as a consultant or assistant coach) or in a front office.

"You know, it's not like I woke up one day this week and said, 'That's it!' he said. "I've had some time to get used to the idea. Funny thing is, physically I feel great. I come back from the gym now and, honestly, I haven't felt this good in 15 years. When the season's over, you've had it, and it takes some time to get back in the gym five days a week. You do that for three months, and then the game breaks you down again. So after a year, I feel pretty good."

Without a doubt, said Leetch, the career highlight was the Cup victory. He wraps up without a regret, but noted his disappointment of not having a better, longer run with the Bruins, as well as playing in only 13 playoff games after the spring of 1997.

"The Cup with the Rangers, it was like how Boston reacted to the Red Sox winning," he said. "In New York [the wait] was only 54 years, but it seemed like 86 years, based on how everyone in the city reacted."

Kevin Paul Dupont can be reached at dupont@globe.com.