After 18 NHL seasons, long-time Montreal Canadiens defenseman Patrice Brisebois on Thursday will announce his retirement from the NHL.Brisebois played in his 1,000th game last season, and finishes his NHL career, which also included two seasons with the Colorado Avalanche , with 98 goals and 420 points in 1,009 games.Brisebois' 896 games with the Canadiens is third all-time among the club's defensemen, and his 87 goals and 371 points are fifth.As part of Thursday's ceremony, Brisebois will receive the Jean Beliveau Trophy from the Montreal Canadiens ' Children Foundation.