BERLIN – Stefan Ustorf has announced the end of his playing career. The 39-year-old’s hope for a comeback came to no avail after sustaining a serious concussion last season.

Ustorf was diagnosed with a traumatic brain injury after an incident in December 2011 during a game of the German league with his team Eisbären Berlin. He had been hoping for a comeback for 15 months before announcing his retirement on Thursday.

“The fact is that it’s unthinkable to return to the ice and to play professionally,” Ustorf said at a press conference. “It’s time to say that after 21 years and more than 1,200 games my career is over.”

The forward had his debut in the German top league in 1991 as a 17-year-old with his hometown team ESV Kaufbeuren. Already in his first season he made it to the national team. In three professional seasons as a teenager he already played in two World Championships and the 1994 Olympic Winter Games before joining the Washington Capitals.

In three years with the Capitals organization he played 54 NHL games (7 goals, 10 assists).

During his career Ustorf represented Germany in 128 international games including six IIHF World Championships, four Olympic Winter Games and two World Cup of Hockey tournaments.

Since 2004 Ustorf played for Eisbären Berlin and captained the team in his last two seasons. With the Berlin team he won six German championships.

MARTIN MERK