Scott Stevens Will Not Return to the Ice This Season

Scott Stevens has announced that he will not play hockey this year although he would not rule out a return to the ice in the future. The 41-year-old Stevens will remain in the New Jersey Devils organization in some capacity according to Devils GM Lou Lamoriello.

'He's been an integral part of all the success we've had,' Lamoriello said of the 13-time All-Star. 'He's been a leader on and off the ice as a hockey player and a person. He feels he's accomplished a lot of things and now wants to devote a lot of time to his family.'

According to Lamoriello, health concerns were not the reason Stevens will be sitting out the season. The 22-year veteran is now an unrestricted free agent and missed the final 44 games of the 2003-04 season due to a severe concussion.

Stevens helped lead New Jersey to three Stanley Cup titles in a nine-year-period. Known most of his tough, physical style of play, the gritty Stevens made opposing forwards fearful of putting the puck in his corner. His leadership on and off the ice will be missed by the Devils who also lost their top offensive defenseman, Scott Niedermayer, when he signed a free agent deal with the Anaheim Mighty Ducks.

'Obviously, it's a shock right now to hear,' teammate Scott Gomez told the Associated Press. 'You knew that day would come. We all thought Scotty would be back. Right now I'm a little bit shocked because he announced something, but at the same time he didn't play the second half of the year.'

Without Stevens, the Devils made a first round playoff exit in 2004. They will most certainly miss his presence in 2005-06 and beyond.