Rangers defenseman Kevin Klein retires

Kevin Klein is calling it a career.

The New York Rangers announced the defenseman's retirement Friday morning.

A prepared statement from the longtime blue-liner followed shortly thereafter.

Klein was limited to 60 regular-season games and one playoff contest this spring due to back problems.

The 32-year-old spent parts of four campaigns with the Rangers after being traded to New York by the Nashville Predators for Michael Del Zotto in January 2014.

He was entering the final season of a five-year, $14.5-million contract he signed with Nashville in 2012.

Klein was a second-round pick of the Predators in 2003.