Kevin Martin, a Canadian curling star whose career highlights include an Olympic gold medal and a world championship, will soon throw his last rock. The Edmonton skip announced his retirement Friday at the Grand Slam of Curlings Players Championship in Summerside, P.E.I. Martin plans to finish the event before becoming a spokesman for the series. The decision to retire came after the Canadian Olympic curling trials in December when Martins rink failed to book a ticket to the Sochi Games. Martin had make an official announcement when the season was over, but that changed when news surfaced last month that second Marc Kennedy and lead Ben Hebert were joining national champion Kevin Koes rink. But retirement has been on the 47-year-olds mind since winning gold at the 2010 Vancouver Games. "I guess when it comes to sports you kind of know when its time," said Martin. "I thought about retiring after Vancouver and we ended up deciding to play and try to get to Sochi and trained extremely hard in the last year and came close. But (Brad) Jacobs ended up winning, which is great, but that was it. "Im not trying for another four-year term. Right after the trials, thats when I told the team and I phoned my sponsors. Everyone knew, I just didnt want to announce anything at the time. Thats not really proper." The affable Martin, nicknamed "The Bear," has been a powerhouse in Canadian curling since making his junior debut in 1984. He won a Canadian junior curling championship with Alberta in 1985 and never looked back. He leaves the sport with a glittering resume that includes a world championship in 2008, a silver medal at the 2002 Salt Lake City Games and four gold medals at the Brier. He also holds the record for Grand Slam titles with 17, including seven Players Championships. Martins departure from the sport wont coincide with a drop in results. He said it was important to end his career at a high point. "Absolutely. Its really important to me that I wasnt one of those guys that, you know, youre sliding down the hill there. I just dont want to be that guy," he said. "You know the trials, I felt so good after the trials. Its about the best Ive ever played I think. About a 93 per cent average for the week. "So I was really good. So I was happy, not happy to not win, but that it was a good strong effort because Im certainly not waiting around four more years for sure." Martin conceded his career highlight was his perfect run to gold in Vancouver. But a 20-year-old memory also stood out for Martin, who recalled rallying to beat Ed Werenich in the 1994 Players Championship. He remembers the losses, too. Losing out in the 2002 Olympic final stung, but Martin considers the bronze-medal match against the United States at the 1992 Albertville Games as his biggest defeat. "I dont really think we should have lost that game," he said. "And now of course, all these years later, which is many years, and I think to myself, geez, win that game and I would have had won one of each -- a gold, a silver and a bronze. Theres not many people who have that." Martin, who began playing at age seven, also has the benefit of being able to reflect on a sport that has evolved significantly during his career. Television time and corporate sponsorship have increased, ice conditions have improved, the international game is far more competitive and the players, according to Martin, look more like athletes. "The conditions have changed dramatically, and therefore the training and the precision of the athlete is completely changed as well. Its just not the same," he said. "Its so much better now because the precisions there. The athletes are in phenomenal shape." The demands of the ice are almost over for Martin. Hes looking forward to the broadcast booth, representing the sport and taking a break from practising two or three hours every day. Getting to spend more time with his three children will also be a welcome change. "It was pretty interesting for them today, because with the announcement coming tonight they dont usually phone and talk to me during curling events of course. It was a pretty big day for the Martin family, for sure." Authentic Pittsburgh Steelers Jerseys . Goldeyes third baseman Ryan Pineda drove in three runs and the pitching staff didnt allow an earned run, as Winnipeg downed Kansas City 6-3 in American Association exhibition action at CommunityAmerica Ballpark in Kansas. Pittsburgh Steelers Jerseys Outlet .K. Subban has picked the right time of the year to go on an offensive tear. http://www.cheapsteelers.com/ . The biggest shock of this seasons competition was on when Watford took a 2-0 lead after 30 minutes at Etihad Stadium, only for a remarkable Aguero-led comeback by City in the final half-hour. The Argentina striker produced clinical finishes in the 60th and 79th minutes to level the score before Aleksandar Kolarov put City in front in the 87th. Stitched Pittsburgh Steelers Jerseys . The 26-year-old Redditch, England, native played three of his past four seasons under Rennie with the Carolina RailHawks of the North American Soccer League. Pittsburgh Steelers Devin Bush Jersey . Ontario Superior Court Case Management Master Ronald Dash released the decision on Monday, saying John McCaw Jr. must testify in front of a jury by live video conference. Moores lawyer, Tim Danson, asked the court to compel McCaw - who is based in Seattle - to testify in the case back on February 27.FLORHAM PARK, N.J. - The New York Jets head into the NFL draft with several needs and plenty of picks. General manager John Idzik also has loads of options with the No. 18 selection. Wide receiver? Cornerback? Tight end? Trade up, or down? Well, its anyones guess — the Jets included — right now. But with the depth of this years rookie class and currently holding a whopping 12 selections, New York will likely be able to add a few impact players. "Well go in open-minded," Idzik said. "The nice thing about having 12 picks is it does give you flexibility and manoeuvrability within the draft." Since taking over as GM last year, Idzik has preached a philosophy of building through the draft. And the 12 picks are just one less than the 13 the Jets had in coach Rex Ryans first three years from 2009-11 combined. Idzik took a deliberate but frugal approach to free agency, still landing perhaps the top three players available at their positions in quarterback Michael Vick, running back Chris Johnson and wide receiver Eric Decker. Despite not being the active spenders many fans hoped the Jets would be, that perception wont affect the Jets draft-day approach. "We view the draft, again, as a talent-based operation," Idzik said. "Were just going to go after the best players for our organization, so I dont know that theres any more pressure based on what transpired or what may not have transpired in free agency." Here are five things to know about the Jets heading into the draft: PLETHORA OF PICKS: Having loads of draft selections doesnt always translate into long-term success. With 12 picks, four of which are compensatory, the Jets have their most since having 10 in 2006. They also had 10 picks in 2004, but havent had as many as 12 since 1998, when their first selection came in the second round with defensive end Dorian Boose. Of those 12 players, only fourth-round tackle Jason Fabini became a regular starter for the Jets. Only one player other than Fabini, third-round safety Kevin Williams, started more than one game in New York. Oh, and five of those selections never played for the Jets in a regular-season game. STAYING PUT?: Despite all those picks, theres certainly a chance the Jets wont keep them all.dddddddddddd They might not even stay in the 18th spot, if the right opportunity to trade up — maybe to get a Sammy Watkins or Mike Evans — comes along. That spot in the draft has produced some decent talent in recent years, including Chad Pennington (2000), Calvin Pace (2003), Joe Flacco (2008) and Maurkice Pouncey (2010), but generally very few Pro Bowl-type players have come at No. 18. "We feel if we stay at 18 that well have the ability to select a good player, somebody that can come in and help us win," senior personnel executive Terry Bradway said. TARGETING NEW TARGETS: Whether its Geno Smith or Michael Vick under centre this season, the Jets addressed the wide receiver position in free agency by bringing in Decker, who immediately upgrades the group after two huge years catching passes from Peyton Manning in Denver. But theres still room to improve. While Watkins and Evans are expected to be long gone by No. 18, the Jets might have a tough decision between LSUs Odell Beckham Jr., Oregon States Brandin Cooks, Southern Californias Marqise Lee or Florida States Kelvin Benjamin. ANOTHER CORNER?: Yes, the Jets took a cornerback with their first-round pick last year in Dee Milliner. But it could happen again, because the Jets might need another top-notch player at the position. After releasing Antonio Cromartie, Milliner became the de facto No. 1 cornerback. The current options to start opposite him are free agent signee Dimitri Patterson, and Kyle Wilson, the teams top pick in 2010, who might be better suited as nickel backs. It wouldnt be a shocker if the Jets jumped on Michigan States Darqueze Dennard, TCUs Jason Verrett, or Virginia Techs Kyle Fuller at No. 18. TIGHT SPOT: The Jets re-signed Jeff Cumberland in the off-season, and Ryan has raved about how he is developing into an all-around tight end. But Zach Sudfeld, Chris Pantale and Konrad Reuland, coming off a knee injury, are the only other tight ends on the roster. So, if North Carolinas Eric Ebron is available, the Jets could opt for perhaps the top-rated tight end in the draft. If not, Texas Techs Jace Amaro or Washingtons Austin Seferian-Jenkins could be possibilities in the second round. 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