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CALGARY -- Calgary Flames left-winger Steve Begin retired from the NHL on Thursday, the team announced. The 35-year-old from Trois-Rivieres, Que., had 56 goals, 52 assists and 561 penalty minutes in 524 career games. "Steve had a career marked with great diligence and effort," said Flames president of hockey operations Brian Burke. "On behalf of the Calgary Flames Organization and ownership group, I congratulate him on his 15 year NHL career and wish him success in his future endeavours." Begin played 159 games with the Flames. He was in his second tour of duty with Calgary after suiting up for the Flames from 1997-2003. Begin rejoined the Flames as free agent for the 2012-13 campaign after taking the prior season off due to a hip injury. Following his return in the truncated 2012-13 season, Begin was nominated for the Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy by the Calgary Chapter of the Professional Hockey Writers Association. The Masterton goes to the player who best exemplifies the qualities of perseverance, sportsmanship and dedication to hockey. He once again attempted to continue his career with the Flames this season but decided on retirement after a re-occurrence of the hip injury during training camp. Begin also played with the Montreal Canadiens, Dallas Stars, Boston Bruins and Nashville Predators. Kevin Garnett Jersey .5 million, two-year contract that runs through 2015. Venable, the son of former big leaguer Max Venable, will make $4. Custom Minnesota Timberwolves Jerseys . Smith, who raised eyebrows at the CFL combine in March with his ability on both sides of the ball, confirmed in a statement he tested positive for the anabolic steroid Stanozolol prior to auditioning for league officials. http://www.timberwolvesgear.com/authenti...rwolves-jersey/. -- Even as Chris Paul remained evasive about his future, he did what team leaders are expected to do. Kevin Garnett Timberwolves Jersey . -- Jerome Williams glanced at Philadelphias schedule and realized he would be facing the Oakland Athletics yet again, with another new team. Robert Covington Jersey . Both moves were announced Tuesday. The Titans had waived Matthews on Saturday when they promoted wide receiver Michael Preston from the practice squad.After three years as FA chairman, Greg Dyke emailed a parting message to his former colleagues. The message provided an insight into the areas in which he feels progress has been made and what his successor must do to protect the FA and the national game.Here is Dykes email in full... Dear All,As this is my final week as chairman of The FA, I thought Id write to everyone to say thank you for all the support youve given me over the past three years. I think we have made real progress in improving the FA and improving the service we give.While we havent done well in the two senior mens tournaments in my time - the World Cup in Brazil and this summers Euros in France - I believe we have put in place some of the basics we will need to fulfil my publicly stated ambition for England to win the World Cup in 2022.The performance of our Under-19s this week in Germany shows we are heading in the right direction. Remember these are many of the same players who won the Under-17 Euros two years ago and they will be in their prime by 2022. However, the problem still remains that these players need Premier League experience if they are to grow into the talented, mature players we need.In fact getting our young players real experience at the top level still remains, I believe, English footballs biggest problem. Fewer home-grown players than ever started matches in the Premier League last year. Although I was not a supporter of Brexit, it could be that by leaving the EU this problem could be solved.If the FA and the government were to have the determination to restrict the flow of European players coming to play in Britain to the very best and introduce quotas on the number of British players in Premier League sides it could be changed quickly.At the moment many very average European players are increasingly taking the slots which could be going to talented young English players from clubs academies.In three years we have also made progress in the womens game with both the growing impportance of the Womens Super League and the success of our team in coming third in last years World Cup.dddddddddddd The latter showed what team spirit can achieve. And well done to the squad for reaching the Euro finals next year.At the grassroots we have started the extensive programme we need to improve facilities. The first two of the Parklife centres will open in Sheffield this autumn and hopefully they will be the first of many as we improve facilities across the cities and towns of England. We can no longer leave this to cash-strapped local authorities, the FA has to take a lead in this.I believe St Georges Park will grow in importance as our radically changed coach education programme for both men and women takes root. We need more and better coaches at most levels of the game and hopefully that is what we will produce in the years to come, including many more from the BAME community.In my time we also took a public lead in the movement to rid football of Sepp Blatter and the corruption which dominated FIFA. I wish his successor Gianni Infantino the very best in an incredibly difficult role but I am quietly optimistic that he can succeed.Finally The FAs out-dated governance system still needs radical reform - a reform I have failed to achieve. I hope my successor has better luck with the Council than I have, if not I am certain the time will come when Government finally and rightly decides enough is enough and intervenes.In Martin Glenn and his executive I believe we have an outstanding management team who can lead The FA in the years ahead to great success.Again thank you to everyone who has been so supportive over the past three years, I have enjoyed getting to know many of you.Best wishes,Greg Also See: Allardyce announcement close Dyke: Big Sam is the choice England U19s slip-up in semis What they say about Big Sam... ' ' '