A look back at Saku Koivu's hockey career
Former Montreal Canadiens captain retires after 18 years in the NHL
Montreal Canadiens centre Saku Koivu, from Finland, speaks to reporters at a news conference in Montreal on Thursday, Aug 31, 1995.The Canadian Press
Pittsburg Penguins goaltender Tom Barraso makes the save off Montreal Canadiens Saku Koivu during first period NHL action in Montreal.The Canadian Press
Montreal Canadiens' President Pierre Boivin wipes his face as he answers questions about Canadiens' captain Saku Koivu's cancer diagnosis at a news conference in Montreal, Thursday Sept.6, 2001.The Canadian Press
Montreal Canadiens captain Saku Koivu smiles as he speaks to reporters during a news conference at the Molson Centre in Montreal Friday, Oct. 5, 2001. Koivu met the media for the first time since being diagnosed with non-Hodgkins lymphoma abdominal cancer before the start of training camp.The Canadian Press
Montreal Canadiens captain Saku Koivu skates across centre ice at the Molson Centre during an optional team practice Monday, April 8, 2002 in Montreal.The Canadian Press
Montreal Canadiens captain Saku Koivu gets a welcome message from a fan during the warm-up prior to the Canadiens game against the Ottawa Senators Tuesday, April 9, 2002 in Montreal. Koivu was making his return to the NHL club after a battle with cancer.The Canadian Press
Montreal Canadiens captain Saku Koivu hops on the ice for his second shift against the Ottawa Senators Tuesday, April 9, 2002 in Montreal.The Canadian Press
Montreal Canadiens captain Saku Koivu takes off his equipment after practice at the Bell Centre in Montreal in this Oct.22, 2003 file photo.The Canadian Press
Montreal Canadiens players celebrate Richard Zednik's, right, second goal of the game during the third period of their NHL playoff game against the Boston Bruins in Boston, Monday April 19, 2004.The Associated Press
Montreal Canadiens centre Saku Koivu (front) and winger Alex Kovalev (behind) high-five their teammates on the bench after Kovalev scored against the New York Rangers in the third period of their NHL game in New York's Madison Square Garden, October 31, 2005.Reuters
Montreal Canadiens centre Saku Koivu puts a shot on goal against the New York Islanders during the third period of NHL action in Uniondale, New York, December 7, 2006.Reuters
Finland's Saku Koivu, centre, is congratulated on his second period goal against Russia, during a mens semi-final game at the 2006 Turin Winter Olympic Games Friday Feb. 24, 2006 in Turin, Italy.The Associated Press
Montreal Canadiens captain Saku Koivu speaks to reporters during their wrap-up news conference in Montreal Friday, May 5, 2006. Koivu spoke to the media for the first time since taking a high stick to the eye from Carolina Hurricanes Justin Williams during Game 3 of their NHL quarter-final series.The Canadian Press
Former Montreal Canadiens defenceman Serge Savard watches with current team captain Saku Koivu as his jersey is retired in Montreal, November 18, 2006.Reuters
Montreal Canadiens' captain Saku Koivu leaves team practice in Montreal April 23, 2008.Reuters
Finland's Saku Koivu shows off his medal after his team's win over Sweden in the bronze medal game at the 2008 World Hockey Championships in Quebec City, May 17, 2008.Reuters
Anaheim Ducks' Saku Koivu skates by sign with his name on it prior to an NHL hockey game against the Montreal Canadiens in Montreal, Saturday, January 22, 2011.The Canadian Press
Anaheim Ducks center Saku Koivu, top, celebrates his goal with teammate Andrew Cogliano during the first period of an NHL game against the Phoenix Coyotes in Anaheim, Calif., Saturday, Dec. 28, 2013.The Associated Press
Anaheim Ducks center Saku Koivu, left, of Finland, congratulates right wing Corey Perry, right, after a hat trick by Perry to win an NHL hockey game against the Colorado Avalanche, Saturday, Feb. 5, 2011, in Denver.
FILE - In this Jan. 22, 2011, file photo, Anaheim Ducks' Saku Koivu, of Finland, waves to the crowd following an NHL hockey game against the Montreal Canadiens in Montreal. The NHL players association announced on Wednesday, Sept. 10, 2014, that the Finnish star would call it a career after 18 seasons, all but five of which were spent in Montreal.The Associated Press