Breaking: Former star forward announces this is his final season.

Despite the fact that he has long insisted he wants to play, and that all he wants to do is play, it appears veteran forward Vincent Lecavalier will be retiring at the end of this season.

That announcement came from Lecavalier's agent Ken Hughes who relayed the information to hockey insider Bob Mckenzie just a few minutes after the announcement that Lecavalier had been traded from Philadelphia to Los Angeles went public.

The announcement comes as a surprise if only because Lecavalier repeatedly shot down any talk of retirement while he was in Philadelphia, and fans there who have been lamenting his albatross contract for some time now are likely wondering why he is now suddenly willing to consider the option after being dealt.

Regardless of how he will be remembered in Philadelphia, Lecavalier will leave behind an incredible legacy, having achieved the NHL's highest greatest prize both as an individual and as a member of a championship team.

[pub]