Peter Forsberg Announces Retirement

(NewsCore) - Five-time NHL All-Star Peter Forsberg announced his retirement Monday, ending his highly-anticipated comeback after just two-games.

Holding back tears in front of reporters, Forsberg officially closed the book on a brilliant career for one of hockey's greatest stars.

"The time has finally come," Forsberg said Monday. "One thing's for sure, I won't be able to second guess myself. I really tried and tried and tried."

Forsberg, 37, marked his return to the NHL Friday after being absent from the league since the 2008 Stanley Cup Playoffs.

The center had been practicing with Colorado since Jan. 22 to determine whether prior injuries to his right ankle and foot could withstand the stress of an NHL season.

"I felt better," Forsberg said of his decision to play. "I thought I owed it to myself to give it one more shot. But after this past weekend, I came to the sad conclusion that I was going to have to retire."

The Swedish superstar said he made the decision after noticing his feet slipping late in the two games over the weekend, making it difficult to keep up with the other players.

The game was "going a little too quick for me," Forsberg said, adding he had promised his fiancee he would stop playing if he felt he could not defend himself on the ice.

The two-time Stanley Cup winner spent 12 seasons in the NHL, compiling 885 points in 708 games with the Avalanche, Philadelphia Flyers and Nashville Predators. He won the Hart Trophy (league MVP) in 2003.

Forsberg also won two Olympic gold medals and two World Championships as a member of Sweden's national hockey team.