Martin Biron announces his retirement

USA TODAY Sports

Martin Biron, 36, announced his retirement on Sunday, less than a week after being placed on waivers.

Biron spent the past three-plus seasons at Henrik Lundqvist's backup, but had been a No. 1 goalie with the Buffalo Sabres and Philadelphia Flyers. He took the Flyers to the 2008 Eastern Conference finals.

During his 16-year career, he went 230-191-25-27 with a 2.62 goals-against average, .910 save percentage, and 28 shutouts.

He topped 30 wins in two seasons and 20 wins in three others.

This season, he was a casualty as the Rangers got off to a slow start.

During his two appearances this season, he gave up five goals, including Tomas Hertl's between-the-legs shot, after replacing Lundqvist against the San Jose Sharks.

In his lone start, he was pulled after giving up four goals in two periods to the St. Louis Blues.

He and Arron Asham went through waivers and were assigned to Hartford of the American Hockey League. But the Rangers gave Biron time to contemplate his future. The answer came on Sunday.

"After thinking about it it with my family, I've decided to retire as a player and move on to a new chapter," Biron tweeted. "Thank you all for your support."