Daniel Briere has announced his retirement after 17 NHL seasons.

Briere made the announcement in a column for the French-language newspaper Le Droit and through the Philadelphia Flyers.

The 37-year-old said it was time to spend more time at home with his family.

Briere put up 307 goals and 389 assists in 973 career games for the Phoenix Coyotes, Buffalo Sabres, Flyers, Montreal Canadiens and Colorado Avalanche.

The Gatineau, Que., native was a first-round pick of the Coyotes in 1996 and led the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League in scoring.

Known for playing above his stature, Briere also earned a reputation as a star playoff performer with 53 goals and 63 assists in 124 post-season games.