Peter Forsberg wants to keep playing hockey. His body is telling him something else. The former Avalanche star’s hockey career could be over. On Monday, Forsberg withdrew from the Swedish team that is competing in a four-team European tournament, the Karjala Cup, citing recurring pain in an ankle.
“It doesn’t feel good. I always try to stay positive, but today is a very dark day,” Forsberg told Swedish television Monday night. “I will have to go back to one of the doctors to see if there’s something I can do. I’m not going to play if it’s not working. I might as well retire.”
Forsberg, 34, is an unrestricted free agent. Many NHL teams – including the Avalanche – planned to send scouts to see him play this weekend. He had been practicing with his former Swedish team, MoDo, and hadn’t reported any ill effects after recent ankle surgery.
Forsberg won a Hart Trophy and two Stanley Cups with the Avalanche in a career beset by injuries.
