EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. (AP) – New Jersey Devils defenseman Ken Daneyko retired Friday, ending an 18-year NHL career that included three Stanley Cup titles in the last nine years.

The 39-year-old Daneyko had been considering retirement since the Devils defeated the Mighty Ducks in the finals last month.

“I always knew this day would come,” Daneyko said. “Dreams certainly do come true, because I’ve lived one for the past 20 years.”

Daneyko’s 1,283 games with the Devils ranks fourth in the NHL for games played with the same organization. Before this season, he had played in all 162 postseason games for New Jersey. He played in 13 of 24 this season.

Daneyko finishes his career with 36 goals and 142 assists. He had five goals and 17 assists in 175 career playoff games.

Daneyko acknowledged he was feeling his age, especially when trying to stay in shape during the offseason, and that the latest title was an opportunity to leave on a high note.

“Sure I’ll miss it; I’ll miss a lot of things,” he said. “This is the way I wanted to go out. The game never cheated me, and I didn’t want to cheat the game.”

The 18th overall pick in the 1982 draft, Daneyko has been on New Jersey’s roster for all or part of the season since 1983.

The Devils also won the Cup in 1995 and 2000, and lost to Colorado in seven games in the 2001 finals.

AP-ES-07-11-03 1527EDT