Paul Martin retires after 14 NHL seasons

Paul Martin is calling it a career.

The longtime defenseman retired from professional hockey, the University of Minnesota confirmed Wednesday morning.

Martin explained his decision in an interview with The Athletic's Michael Russo, in which the veteran blue-liner said he wants to finish his college degree and start a family.

His agent, Ben Hankinson, tried to land the unrestricted free agent a job for this season, but Martin didn't want a tryout and wasn't interested in continuing his career in Europe, according to Russo.

Martin played parts of 14 seasons in the NHL with the New Jersey Devils, Pittsburgh Penguins, and San Jose Sharks.

He represented the United States multiple times on the international stage, earning a spot on the Olympic team on three occasions (in 2006, 2010, and 2014), but he saw no action in the 2006 Games and missed the 2010 event with a broken arm.

The Sharks bought out Martin's contract in June.