Stars' Whitney credits fitness for longevity

Dallas Stars winger Ray Whitney will turn 42 next month and he's about to wrap up a two-year, $9 million contract.

Does he have any secret to his longevity in the NHL?

"I'm not sure what the answer is. Selanne might have a better answer than me," Whitney said Thursday, via The News & Observer. "For me, I stay in shape year-round and it has worked for me, for the most part."

He added, "I think if you do it long enough it just becomes more of a habit. I think your mind and body get shut off in the summer and get turned back on in September. It's like anybody doing any job. If their alarm clock is going off at 7 they probably don't need that alarm clock anymore. My mind and body are probably the same. When it's September I'm anxious to get going again."

Source: Chip Alexander, News & Observer