Leading American scorer Modano retires after 21 seasons

Former Dallas Stars forward Mike Modano, the all-time goals and points leader among U.S.-born players, announced his retirement from the National Hockey League (NHL) on Wednesday after a 21-season career.

Modano, taken first overall by the Minnesota North Stars in the 1988 NHL Entry Draft, moved with the team to Dallas in 1993 and was the face of the franchise as the holder of many of the team's offensive scoring records.

After a long summer of thinking about my future, I've come to the decision that it's time to retire as a player from the NHL, Modano wrote on his Facebook page.

The 41-year-old future Hall of Famer will formally announce his retirement at a news conference on Friday in Dallas, the Stars said in a statement.

Modano, who helped lead Dallas to their only Stanley Cup win in 1999, recorded 561 goals 1,374 points in a career that included seven All-Star selections.

Michigan-born Modano remains the top-scoring U.S.-born player in NHL goals and points and won an Olympic silver medal with the United States in 2002.

Modano spent his final NHL season with the Detroit Red Wings after his contract with the Stars expired and the team decided not to re-sign him in favor of younger players.

He was limited to just 40 games in his final season because of a wrist injury, scoring four goals and 11 assists.