NHL Hall of Famer and legendary broadcaster announces his retirement

Legendary defenseman turned color commentator Denis Potvin officially announced his retirement from broadcasting earlier today.

The 65 year old joined the Florida Panthers broadcast team in 1993 and in total spent 21 seasons as the team's color analyst.

Of course, most hockey fans will remember Potvin from his playing days with the New York Islanders where he was one of his generation's greatest defensemen. He's a former 1st overall draft pick and a four time Stanley Cup champion and put up an incredible 1052 points in 1060 NHL games. He was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame as a first-ballot inductee in 1991.

For full details of today's announcement, read the statement below from the Panthers organization:

SUNRISE, Fla. - Denis Potvin in conjunction with the Florida Panthers and FOX Sports Florida announced today his retirement from television broadcasting.

A member of the Panthers inaugural broadcast team in 1993-94, Potvin, 65, spent 21 seasons as the Panthers Television Color Analyst.

"On behalf of the entire Florida Panthers organization, we want to thank Denis for his tremendous contributions to our franchise both as a broadcaster and as an ambassador of hockey in South Florida," said Florida Panthers President & CEO Matthew Caldwell. "A legend of the sport, it has been a privilege for our fans through the years to watch and listen to Denis analyze Panthers games. We wish him a happy retirement from this chapter of his illustrious career."

"Denis contributed so much to our Florida Panthers broadcasts over the years, all the while serving as a tremendous ambassador for the game of hockey," said FOX Sports Florida SVP / General Manager Steve Tello. "He brought great knowledge and a Hall of Fame perspective to every one of our telecasts throughout his 21-year tenure in the broadcast booth. We deeply appreciate his partnership with us and wish him all the best."

Potvin got his start in broadcasting with Sports Channel NY in 1989. Throughout his career he has broadcasted NHL regular season games and Stanley Cup Playoff games in both French and English, with The Sunshine Network, Sports Channel Florida, ESPN and FOX Sports Florida, as well as Sportsnet and Radio Canada where he broadcast the 2004 Olympics in Torino Italy.

"I have been blessed to work in industries where team work was essential for success", said Potvin. "When I think of the play-by-play announcers, producers, directors and tape operators I have worked with, not to mention the camera support, it's no wonder why I loved every minute of being a broadcaster. I'll miss the interaction and the fun, but I feel that it's time for me to step away. Since the day that Bill Torrey and Mr. Huizenga brought me on board in 1993, I've been blessed to watch hockey grow in South Florida. From the Panthers of present and past, from Pavel Bure to Roberto Luongo, to the exciting young core of Panthers now led by Aleksander Barkov , it's been my distinct pleasure to have gotten to work with and get to know each of them. While it will be an adjustment to step away from my broadcasting career, I look forward to spending more time with my family and grandchildren. I want to thank the Florida Panthers players, coaches, staff and fans for the memories and privilege of being a part of this franchise's history."

"I am proud to call Denis Potvin a colleague and most importantly, a friend," said Panthers Vice President of Broadcasting & Alumni Randy Moller. "His knowledge, advice, generosity and class are second to none and I would not be where I am in my broadcasting career today without him. It has been a true honor to work alongside Denis over the last 20 years and I wish him nothing but the best in his retirement."

Originally selected by the New York Islanders with the first overall pick of the 1973 NHL Entry Draft, Potvin became the cornerstone of the New York Islanders four Stanley Cup Championship teams from 1979-80 to 1982-83 and served as captain for eight seasons (1979-80 to 1986-87). The three-time winner of the James Norris Memorial Trophy as the NHL's top defenseman (1975-76, 1977-78, 1978-79), Potvin retired from the NHL following the 1987-88 season.

Potvin appeared in 1,060 career NHL regular season games, all with NY Islanders (1973-74 to 1987-88), producing 1,052 points (310-740-1,052) and a career plus-456 rating. Among defensemen in NHL history, the native of Ottawa, Ontario, stands at fifth in goals, seventh in points and 10th in assists, while owning the franchise record for all three categories among Islanders defensemen all-time.

In the postseason, Potvin played in 185 career playoff games, amassing 164 points (56-108-164). Among NHL defensemen all-time in the playoffs, Potvin ranks second in goals, fourth in points and seventh in assists.

Following his stellar playing career, Potvin was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame and Ottawa Sports Hall of Fame in 1991.