Greg WyshynskiApr 8, 2025, 06:54 PM ET
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- Greg Wyshynski is ESPN’s senior NHL creator.
Chaz Lucius, a former first-round pick out for the Winnipeg Jets, introduced his retirement on Tuesday because of a hereditary tissue dysfunction.
The 21-year-old middle performed for the Manitoba Moose, the AHL associate of the Jets, this season.
Lucius mentioned he used to be identified with Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, which impacts the connective tissue that stabilizes and helps the joints and organs within the frame. He had handled joint accidents during the last a number of years, each in maintaining them and convalescing from them.
“I believed I used to be simply unfortunate. With this prognosis of EDS, I now understand that my frame may just now not take care of the bodily nature of enjoying hockey,” he mentioned in a commentary via Newport Sports activities, which represented him. “Given this situation, my harm historical past, and the bodily nature of hockey, I’ve been medically instructed to not proceed to play.”
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Lucius, who’s from Lawrence, Kansas, used to be a made from the U.S. Nationwide Workforce Construction Program and later attended the College of Minnesota (2021-22). The Jets decided on him 18th total within the 2021 draft.
He performed for the Moose for the previous 3 seasons, lacking time because of harm. He had 9 issues in 25 video games this season however hadn’t been within the lineup since early February. Head trainer Mark Morrison mentioned on the time that Lucius “has a clinical situation that wishes just a little bit additional analysis.”
The Jets mentioned in a commentary on Tuesday: “After a lot dialogue and session with Chaz, his representatives, and clinical execs, the Winnipeg Jets Hockey Membership absolutely helps his tough determination to retire. Chaz’s situation and struggles with Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (EDS) put him vulnerable to harm if he continues to play on the skilled degree, so we perceive his selection. We want Chaz the entire best possible in his efforts to be an suggest for the ones coping with EDS and hope for a vivid long run in entrance of him.”
Lucius thanked the Jets group for its beef up “via an excessively difficult time,” singling out Mike Keane from the staff’s participant building body of workers for “taking good care of me as an individual in addition to a participant.”
He additionally thanked all of his present and previous coaches and teammates. “I believe blessed to have skilled all that hockey gave me through the years even supposing I’m beaten that I will not proceed to pursue my dream of enjoying within the NHL,” he mentioned.
Lucius mentioned he plans on being an suggest for the ones with EDS.
