Frisco, TX (Best E Casino) - Dallas Stars defenseman Mattias Norstrom announced his retirement from the National Hockey League on Tuesday, putting an end to a 14-year career.

Norstrom said coming into the season he knew it was the last year of his contract, and didn't want to cause a distraction.

"This wasn't a rash decision by any means and I comfortable with it," Norstrom said.

The 36-year-old Swede played in 903 career games with the New York Rangers (1993-96), Los Angeles Kings (1995-07) and Stars, who acquired him in February 2007. He accumulated 18 career goals, 147 assists and 661 penalty minutes, and was twice a selection for the NHL All-Star Game -- in 1999 and 2004.

Norstrom tallied five points in 18 playoff games this season, helping Dallas reach the Western Conference finals, where the Stars eventually lost to Cup champion Detroit in six games.