Red Wings' Kris Draper Retires From NHL

Detroit Red Wings' veteran forward Kris Draper is hanging up his skates.

Speaking at a new conference, Tuesday, along with Red Wings general manager Ken Holland, Draper confirmed recalled the day in 1993 that he was traded from the then-Winnipeg Jets for $1, and met coach Scotty Bowman.

"I walked into the dressing room at the Joe, looked around, saw Draper 33 hanging in a stall right by Osgood 30, and that's when a great friendship started," Draper said.

Saying that this was the hardest day of his life, Draper thanked the Wings owners Mike and Marian Ilitch and his teammates.

He recalled some of his fondest memories with the Wings.

"I will never forget the great run as the 2008 Stanley Cup champions, one of the greatest memories of my life, and also '09, when we just came up that one game short," he said.

Draper, 40, won four Stanley Cups with the Wings.

 He is expected to take a front office position with the Wings.

- 97.1 The  Ticket's Stoney spoke with Draper on Tuesday. Check out the video, here -