Detroit Red Wing Kirk Maltby, shown in June 2009, announced his retirement Tuesday after more than 1,000 NHL games and four Stanley Cups championships.

Associated Press

After 908 games and four Stanley Cup championships with the Detroit Red Wings, Kirk Maltby announced his retirement rather than accept an assignment with the AHL's Grand Rapids Griffins.

"I was a pain in the (rear)," said Maltby, 37. "But I didn't mind giving those shots. I took my share of shots, too, and I didn't mind that. It was the game within the game. Most times, the other guys didn't see it that way.

"I was a guy that worked hard. All I wanted to do was win, and I did what I had to do to help my team win."

Yahoo Sports columnist Nicholas J. Cotsonika details a defining moment in Maltby's career, when he single-handedly killed a penalty against the St. Louis Blues in the 2002 Western Conference semifinals.

• NHL Network video of Maltby's announcement:

• MLive.com: Wings fall to Avalanche in shootout, 5-4

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