After 19 NHL seasons, Doug Weight is hanging up the skates for good.

The announcement was made Thursday at a press conference held by the New York Islanders, the team with which he last played. He will remain with the Islanders as an Assistant Coach and Senior Advisor to the General Manager.

"It's very difficult and humbling to be here today to officially announce my retirement after 19 seasons," he said. "To say the game of hockey meant the world to me is a huge understatement. I feel so grateful and fulfilled for everything this sport has given me."

Weight played 364 games with the Blues and was a fan favorite in St. Louis from the time of his arrival in 2001 (in a trade with Edmonton) until his departure in December 2007.

As a member of the Blues, he scored 75 goals and 220 assists (295 points). He ranks 12th among the team's all-time assist leaders.

"Hockey-wise, nobody saw the ice better than Dougie," friend and former Blues teammate Bill Guerin told NewYorkIslanders.com. "He was a winger's dream to be playing with because of the way he passed the puck and saw the ice. (But) even more than the way he played, Dougie as a teammate was the best. I'm a better man for having played with Doug Weight."

With his contract with the Blues nearing completion at the end of the 2005-06 season, the Blues traded Weight to the Carolina Hurricanes in January 2006, where he helped guide the Hurricanes to a Stanley Cup Championship.

He signed with the Blues again the following summer and played in St. Louis until December 2007 when he was traded to Anaheim in a deal that brought Andy McDonald to the Blues.

"My family and I had a memorable time in St. Louis and feel blessed to have called it home during our family's early years," Weight said. "It was a great city and organization to play for, and I will always have fond memories of my time as a Blue."

After 38 games with Anaheim, he signed with the Islanders as a free agent, but shoulder and back injuries have limited him to just 107 games over the past three seasons on Long Island.

Weight finished his career with 278 goals and 755 assists (1,033 points) in 1,238 career games. He played for the Rangers, Oilers, Blues, Hurricanes, Ducks and Islanders.

"(St. Louis) was just a great place to live. I sold my house (there) about two months ago and it kills me. But I'm so proud that I could play there.

"My time as a Blue was great."