The 33-year-old was captain of the American ice hockey team between 2014 and 2018, a period which included Olympic silver at Sochi 2014 and gold at Pyeongchang 2018.

During her career, Duggan also earned seven consecutive golds at the International Ice Hockey Federation's (IIHF) Women's World Championships. 

"I feel at peace with my decision, but it was still very difficult," Duggan said.

"Hockey has been my life. 

"It feels like the end of something I’ve poured a lot of heart and soul into. 

"Why now - it’s a gut feeling. 

"It was the right decision for myself and my family."

At club level, Duggan played in both the Canadian Women's Hockey League and National Women's Hockey League from 2011 to 2017, winning the Clarkson Cup with the Boston Blades in the 2014-2015 season. 

Off ice, Duggan was a fundamental part of the team which threatened to boycott the 2017 IIHF Women’s World Championships in Michigan unless they were given greater financial support.

She was recently named to the National Hockey League’s new Player Inclusion Committee and is heavily involved with USA Hockey. 

"Whenever I think of her or hear her name, I immediately think of the word leader," said USA Hockey executive director Pat Kelleher.

"That’s who she is. 

"And I’m glad as she moves into the next chapter of her life she’ll stay with USA Hockey and be a leader. 

"She‘s on our Board of directors, she’s an athlete director for USA Hockey, so although we won’t see her on the ice anymore, I know we’ll see her in our boardroom and at meetings, being a leader."