Tuesday, June 12 Updated: June 13, 6:52 PM ET Report: Bourque to announce retirement next month ESPN.com news services DENVER -- Ray Bourque will not return to the Avalanche next season, instead opting to retire after winning his first Stanley Cup, the Denver Post reported Tuesday on its Web site. After finally winning the Cup, Ray Bourque reportedly will call it a career. The report cited unnamed sources close to Bourque. An official announcement is expected early next month, the newspaper said. Bourque said Monday during a downtown parade honoring the Colorado Avalanche that he was still undecided, but Post sources close to him say he has made up his mind to retire but wants to wait before making it public. "Do I really want to come back? I'm 40 years old," Bourque said. "I could play, no doubt about that. I played Game 7 (three) days ago, and I played pretty well. It's not a matter if you can or can't play. You've got to look at it mentally, physically. It's not the easiest thing to play when you're 40 years old. It takes a lot of energy. It has been great. I've enjoyed it. I've got to see if the fire, the passion and everything you need to be successful playing this game is going to be there. If I decide it is, then I'll continue. And if I feel that it's going to be tough, then we'll see what we do." The report said Bourque wished to spend more time with his family. Still, there remains a sliver of a chance some of his teammates might be able to talk him out of retirement. "The way he played, he could play another five or six years," defenseman Rob Blake said after the Avs beat the New Jersey Devils in Game 7 of the Stanley Cup Finals at the Pepsi Center. Said goalie Patrick Roy: "In my mind, I'd love to see Ray come back next year and defend the title. But that is his decision." By retiring, Bourque would give up the option year on his contract, worth $6.5 million. He would receive a $1 million buyout from the Avalanche, however, as specified by his contract. Bourque, a future Hall of Famer, would retire as the leading scorer as a defenseman in NHL history. He has 410 goals and 1,579 points in 1,612 regular-season games. He had appeared in more regular-season and playoff games (1,826) than anyone in NHL history without capturing a championship before the Avs captured the Stanley Cup. Bourque spent his first 20 1/2 years with the Boston Bruins and made two Stanley Cup appearances. Fifteen months ago, Bourque sanctioned a trade to the Avalanche for another chance to win an elusive championship. Send this story to a friend | Most sent stories

ALSO SEE Boston roots: Bourque to bring Cup home to Boston fans Blake wants Avalanche to stay together Mile-high celebration: Avs receive a hero's welcome Blake says Sakic's injury was worse than admitted AUDIO/VIDEO  Will Ray Bourque retire? Bourque is keeping his options open. wav: 96 k RealAudio: 14.4 | 28.8 | 56.6