REPORT: 15-year veteran Tomas Holmstrom to retire before shortened NHL season

DETROIT (WXYZ) - First Nicklas Lidstrom, and now Tomas Holmstrom?

Reports indicate the 39-year-old veteran will announce his retirement before the likely shortened season starts later this month.

Holmstrom played all 15 of his years (’96-’97 through ’11-’12) here in Hockeytown and a vast majority of his time was spent parked right in front of the opposing goalies crease.

The Swedish native will turn 40 on January 23. While it isn’t considered ancient in hockey years, Holmstrom feels he may not be able to gear up for another season due to the physical beating his body has endured.

The veteran forward is expected to make his retirement official sometime in the near future at a press conference at Joe Louis Arena. The Red Wing organization reportedly didn't want to make the announcement during the work stoppage.

Right now, the NHL is waiting for ratification of the tentative deal that’s in place between the owners and NHLPA. If the deal is approved, it’s expected that a shortened season, including 48 to 50 games, will start in a few weeks.

Here are a few more facts about Tomas Holmstrom to remember:

• He scored 243 career goals, and assisted on 287 others, totaling 530 career points.
• Holmstrom was the 257th overall pick (10th round) in the 1994 NHL draft.
• He played on four Stanley Cup championship teams (1997, 1998, 2002, and 2008).