Dallas Drake still had the desire to continue playing, but he realized that after 15 hard, grinding seasons, his body can no longer handle the rigors of the NHL. So Drake announced this week that he is retiring, going out on top after winning the Stanley Cup for the first time in his career last season with the Red Wings.

"I love the game as much as I ever have," Drake, 39, said. "Mentally, I still want to play. But my body got to a point where it just doesn't recover as quickly any more. The years have (worn) on me a little bit. Physically, I'm done."

Drake's final season was by far his most fulfilling. He signed a one-year free-agent contract with the Red Wings, the club that gave him his start in the NHL in 1992, because he believed it was his best chance to finally win a championship. The Wings needed a crash-and-bang forward for their fourth line and Drake was an ideal fit. He had three goals and three assists in 65 regular season games and stepped up his play in the postseason, wearing on the opposition's defense, particularly early in games.

"The physical pounding he laid on teams' defense was something we didn't have the last couple of years," general manager Ken Holland said. "The defense had to keep their heads up with him getting in on the forecheck and laying a big hit. The team fed off that."

Drake also provided leadership and motivation for the rest of the team, as players rallied around him during his quest to win a title.

The Red Wings selected Drake in the sixth round (116th overall) of the 1989 NHL entry draft. He was dealt midway through his second season to the Winnipeg Jets along with goaltender Tim Cheveldae for goalie Bob Essensa. After seven seasons with that organization, Drake played six more for St. Louis before returning to Detroit. He played in 1,009 regular season games, picking up 177 goals and 300 assists.

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