Avs' star Forsberg says he will take leave of absence

STOCKHOLM, Sweden -- Six-time NHL All-Star Peter Forsberg is taking a leave of absence after missing the Colorado Avalanche's run to the Stanley Cup title because of a ruptured spleen.

"I'm not retiring," he said at a news conference Saturday at Stockholm's Globe Arena, where his team was practicing for an exhibition game against a Swedish club.

"I love hockey. I want to come back playing and I'm going to work out. I'm not going to gain 40 pounds."

The 28-year-old Forsberg, who led Sweden to the 1994 Olympic gold medal, had surgery to remove his ruptured spleen and stop internal bleeding early on May 10, hours after Colorado defeated the Los Angeles Kings in Game 7 of the Western Conference semifinals.

He was released from the hospital a few days later and was ruled out for the remainder of the playoffs.

"I just feel that right now, in my current frame of mind, I can't go out and play at the level I expect out of myself," Forsberg said. "Over the last few years, the numerous injuries and the recent surgeries made me come to this decision.

"I think I need to sit back and listen to my body. I'm not getting younger. My body has been taking a lot of abuse, a lot of beating the last few years. I need to heal my body.

"I don't know how long it's going to take."

Forsberg's agent, Don Baizley, made the Avalanche aware Friday night of Forsberg's decision to take time off from hockey, the team said. Forsberg then met with Colorado Avalanche owner Stanley Kroenke and team president Pierre Lacroix.

"We are shocked with his decision, but we have to respect it," Lacroix said.