Hockey

Dominik Hasek is gunning for 2010.

The 44-year-old goaltender has announced that he is coming out of retirement to play for his former club in the Czech hockey league and has hopes of competing at the Olympics in Vancouver next year.

Hasek will play next season for the HC Moeller Pardubice in the town where he was born and started his career. He said in a press conference Tuesday that he would be competitive, but didn't know whether the Czech coaches would interested in having him on the Olympic team.

Still, he said, playing in another Olympics "will be a motivation for me in training.''

In the mean time, he's just going to do what he can with HC Moeller.

"I'm really glad I could sign a deal with this club,'' Hasek told a news conference Tuesday. "It's a club where I spent the most years. I've never even thought I could play for any other club in the Czech Republic. I'm looking forward to the next season.''

While Hasek will be the oldest player in the league, he says he won't let that hold him back.

"My return won't be easy,'' Hasek said. "We have big goals with Pardubice. I don't talk about my age but a return to top hockey will not be easy. I want to keep winning, I'm looking forward to it.''

Hasek announced his retirement just under a year ago after winning the Stanley Cup for a second time when the Red Wings defeated the Pittsburgh Penguins last June.

"A year ago I said goodbye to the NHL but not to hockey,'' Hasek said. "After a year when I was engaged in other activities I felt like returning.''

Drafted by the Chicago Blackhawks in 1983, Hasek joined the NHL in the 1990-1991 season and won 389 games with the Red Wings, Ottawa Senators, Buffalo Sabres and the Blackhawks. He was a six-time Vezina Trophy winner as the NHL's top goaltender and two-time Hart Trophy winner as the league's most valuable player.

He previously retired in 2002 after winning his first Stanley Cup with Detroit but rejoined the NHL in the 2003-04 season.

- With files from The Associated Press