SYRACUSE, N.Y. – The Syracuse Crunch have signed former captain Zenon Konopka to one-day contract, Crunch owner Howard Dolgon announced today.
 
The one-day contract allows Konopka to retire from hockey as a member of the Syracuse Crunch.
 
"It's such an honor to sign a one-day deal to end my career in Syracuse," said Konopka. "I hope they let me play Saturday night to punish a few Toronto players."
 
"It's befitting that one of the most beloved players in the history of the organization end his blue-collar hockey career in a blue-collar market with the Syracuse Crunch," said Dolgon.
 
Konopka, 36, played for the Crunch during the 2006-07 and 2007-08 seasons. As captain during the 2007-08 campaign, Konopka led the Crunch to the second round of the Calder Cup Playoffs after a 20-0-0-3 record in the club's final 23 regular season games. Currently a free agent, Konopka has played 346 career NHL games with the Anaheim Ducks, Buffalo Sabres, Columbus Blue Jackets, Minnesota Wild, New York Islanders, Ottawa Senators and Tampa Bay Lightning.
 
The Crunch signed Konopka as part of a pregame ceremony honoring the former captain. The ceremony featured a video from his former teammates and the presentation of a lifetime key to the Crowne Plaza Syracuse, so Konopka may always return to the city.
 
Syracuse Crunch single game and season tickets for the 2016-17 season are on sale now and can be purchased either in person at the Crunch office located in the War Memorial Arena at 800 S. State St. in Syracuse or by calling the office at 315-473-4444. For the latest Crunch news, visit www.syracusecrunch.com or follow the club on Facebook (www.facebook.com/syracusecrunch), Twitter (@SyracuseCrunch) and Instagram (@syracusecrunch) using #SyrCrunch, #WeAreOne and #BLUnited.