I've gone through back surgery a couple times, and of course, my radiation treatments for six weeks got me to the point where I was not able to play at the level that I was accustomed to.

Once I'm at the arena with the guys in the dressing room, and in the bus, and on the plane, I'm a player. And I sit in the back with the players and I play cards and try to take their money.

I have two main reasons for retiring. The first is I can no longer play at a level I was accustomed to in the past. That has been very, very frustrating to me throughout this past year. The second one is realizing my health, along with my family, is the most important thing in the world.

The first few games that we played against some of the teams, the young guys, you know, want a stick sign or photo sign, and I think that they respect what I have achieved throughout my career.

All I can say to the young players is, enjoy every moment of it. Just enjoy every moment of it. Your career goes by very quickly.

As I've said, in 2007, we're free to go and we'll just have to do what's best for the business.

I think the lottery changed everything for us. Once we got Sidney, it helped us turn this franchise around overnight.