Toronto, ON -- (Sports Network) - Olaf Kolzig, who spent last season with the Tampa Bay Lightning but who is best-known as a long-time netminder for the Washington Capitals, made his retirement official on Wednesday.

The 39-year-old was limited by injury to eight games a season ago with the Bolts, going 2-4-1 with a 3.66 goals-against average in his 17th NHL campaign. He finished the season as a second backup with the Toronto Maple Leafs but did not appear in a game.

"I feel very privileged to have had the opportunity to play the game of hockey at the NHL level for many seasons and I am grateful for everything the game has given me," said Kolzig. "I would like to thank my family, all my teammates and the fans for making my time in the NHL so special."

Kolzig, born in Johannesburg, South Africa, was the 19th overall pick of the Caps in the 1989 draft, and made his pro debut late in the 1989-90 season.

Despite several call-ups over the next few years, Kolzig did not manage to stick to the Capitals' roster until the lockout-shortened 1995 season, then became Washington's starting netminder for the 1997-98 campaign.

During the Caps' surprise run to the Finals that season, he racked up four shutouts and allowed fewer than two goals per contest.

His best performance came two years later, going 41-20-11 with five shutouts and a 2.24 GAA to earn an All-Star berth, first team All-Star honors and the Vezina Trophy as the league's best netminder.

Kolzig went on to post a personal-best six whitewashes during the 2001-02 season, eventually amassing 35 shutouts for his career. In 719 games, he went 303-297-24 with 63 ties and a 2.71 goals-against average.

In 45 postseason starts, Kolzig went 20-24 with six shutouts and a 2.14 GAA.

Holding German citizenship, Kolzig has represented the nation in the Nagano and Torino Winter Games, as well as the World Cup of Hockey (1996, 2004) and a pair of World Championships (1997, 2004).