OAKVILLE, Ont. — Toronto Rock forward Josh Sanderson, one of the National Lacrosse League's greatest scorers, is retiring after 19 seasons.

The Rock announced Sanderson's retirement in a release Wednesday. He leaves the league fourth in career scoring with 1,357 points (449 goals, 908 assists) in 268 regular season games. Only lacrosse legends John Tavares, John Grant Jr., and Colin Doyle have more.

"I know I can't play at the level I want to anymore and that's why I'm choosing to retire," the 39-year old Sanderson said. "My teammates and competing each week is what I'll miss the most. I have so many great memories because of the great people I played with and the friendships I made along the way. I'm truly thankful for the opportunities this game has given me."

Sanderson flirted with retirement prior to the beginning of the 2016 NLL season when he stepped away during training camp to contemplate his lacrosse future. After missing the first five games of the season, Sanderson returned to the Rock lineup on Feb. 14 and posted a goal and four assists in a 17-16 overtime loss to the New England Black Wolves.

A week later at Air Canada Centre against the Buffalo Bandits, he scored once and setup six others to lead the Rock to their first win of the season. Sanderson finished the 2016 season with 42 points in 11 games.

"I'm happy and proud and honoured that he played his last game wearing a Rock uniform," Toronto Rock owner, president and general manager Jamie Dawick said. "Josh is going to be missed in that dressing room. A great player on the floor and a great leader and from what I've heard from everyone who ever played with him, one of the greatest teammates of all-time."

The native of Orangeville, Ont., also played with Rochester, Albany/San Jose, Boston and Calgary.

Originally selected in the second round of the 1997 NLL Draft by Rochester, Sanderson played just two seasons in a limited role before moving on to Albany. It was while playing with the Attack that Sanderson established himself as an NLL superstar. He led Albany to a 2002 NLL finals appearance, losing to the Toronto Rock.

He was traded to Toronto prior to the 2005 season and helped the Rock win their fifth Champion's Cup in seven seasons.

"One of the most special years of my career, winning with so many friends, it was a really fun year," said Sanderson. "The championship game in Toronto was one of the most memorable games of my career. The atmosphere at the ACC was something I had never experienced. We had a really smart front door and really good chemistry almost right away. It was a smart, really good team offence."

His first run in Toronto ended during the 2008 season when he was dealt to Calgary.

"The trade to Calgary was a shocker but it was one of my favourite parts of my career," said Sanderson who went on to win his second championship in 2009 with the Roughnecks. "We had good chemistry by 2009 and it was also a really fun group."

Sanderson comes from a notable lacrosse family. His late father Terry was a former player, coach and executive for several NLL teams best known as general manager of the Toronto Rock.