Evgeni Nabokov announces retirement from professional hockey

Evgeni Nabokov flew across the country to make a big announcement on Wednesday.

The veteran goaltender, recently acquired by the San Jose Sharks from the Tampa Bay Lightning, announced his retirement from professional hockey Thursday after 14 seasons spent mostly in California and with stints in Florida and with the New York Islanders.

Drafted in the ninth round of the 1994 NHL Draft, Nabokov posted a record of 353-227-29-57 in 697 career appearances, with 59 shutouts and a career save percentage of .911.

Nabokov won the Calder Trophy as the league's top rookie in 2001, and was a Vezina Trophy finalist in 2008, finishing second in voting to New Jersey's Martin Brodeur. He also helped his native Russia win the gold medal at the 2008 World Championships.