Veteran defenceman Adrian Aucoin is retiring after 17 seasons in the NHL.

Aucoin, 40, recorded 121 goals and 278 assists in 1,108 NHL games for the Vancouver Canucks, Tampa Bay Lightning, New York Islanders, Chicago Blackhawks, Calgary Flames, Phoenix Coyotes and Columbus Blue Jackets.

Aucoin, who scored his first career NHL goal on his first shot in his first regular-season game on May 3, 1995, said making the NHL was a childhood dream.

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"I will look back on it with fondness and pride for the rest of my life," he said in a statement.

Aucoin was drafted out of Boston University by the Canucks, 117th overall in the 1992 NHL draft.

Internationally, Aucoin won gold at the 1993 world junior championship and silver at the 1994 Winter Olympics.

Known for his fierce slap shot, Aucoin played in 62 playoff games, recording 21 points.