MONTREAL -- With no luck finding a new job with an NHL team, veteran defenceman Patrice Brisebois is calling it a career.
An emotional Brisebois met with the media yesterday at the Bell Centre in Montreal where he thanked his coaches and reflected on a successful hockey career.
The 38-year-old praised Jacques Demers, his coach when he won the Stanley Cup in 1993, and said that this was the first time he had sported his championship ring.
"I want to show that I am a winner," said Brisebois. "That, no one can take away from me."
Brisebois also fondly spoke of Claude Riel, who he said was "the first to believe in my talent."
The former Montreal Canadien fought back tears as he spoke of his wife and two daughters whom he called "the three most important women in my life."
Brisebois said the decision to retire was a difficult one, though it likely was made a bit easier after Habs general manager Bob Gainey told him the team wouldn't be offering him a new contract.
Brisebois added that it was tough to call it quits when you love your job, but "you know it is going to end one day."
