Flyers winger Sami Kapanen has decided to end his NHL career, announcing his retirement with one season remaining on his contract with Philadelphia.

Kapanen, who will turn 35 on July 15, is the majority owner of KalPa Kuopio, a team in Finland's SM-Liiga. He will wind up his playing career with the club, where he also got his start in hockey. Flyers defenseman Kimmo Timonen, a Kuopio native who also got his start with KalPa, is a minority owner of the club.

A report in Kuopio-based newspaper Savon Sanomat quoted Kapanen as saying that he informed the Flyers yesterday of his decision. A source close to Kapanen has confirmed the report. I am currently attempting to get further comment from Sami himself and from KalPa management.

Kapanen was scheduled to make $1.25 million next season and his retirement will save the Flyers the same amount against their 2008-09 salary cap.