An NHL view was forced to hang his skates before he ever played for the team that spurred him.
Chaz Lucius, a first round of election four years ago, announced his retirement on Tuesday due to an Ehlers-Danlo’s syndrome diagnosis.
Lucius was drafted by the Winnipeg Jets with the 18th total committee and had played for their AHL -associated company.
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Winnipegs Chaz Lucius applies the pressure to forcheck in the third period against Ottawa on September 29, 2023. (Richard A. Whittaker/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
“I thought I was just unlucky. With this diagnosis of EDS, I am now aware that my body couldn’t handle the physical nature of playing hockey,” Lucius said in a statement. “Given this condition, my injury history and the physical nature of hockey, I have been medical advice not to continue playing.”
Lucius said he had been dealing with common damage over the years and had difficulty recovering from them.
“I feel blessed to have experienced everything that Hockey gave me over the years, even though I am crushed, that I cannot continue to pursue my dream of playing in the NHL,” he said.
Minnesota’s Chaz Lucius will appear during the game against Michigan State on February 5, 2022. (Bailey Hillesheim/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
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“After much discussion and consultation with Chaz, his representatives and medical professionals, Winnipeg Jets Hockey Club fully supports his difficult decision to retire,” Jets said in a statement. “Chaz’s condition and struggles with Ehlers-Danlo’s Syndrome (ed.) Put him at risk of injury if he continues to play at the professional level, so we understand his choice. We wish Chaz all the best in his efforts to be a spokesman for those who deal with EDS and hope for a bright future in front of him.”
Lucius was a member of the US National Development Program before playing at the University of Minnesota in the 2021-22 season. He competed in 2023 the world’s juniors, where he and the United States won a bronze medal.
Chaz Lucius from Team USA appears against Team Switzerland under IIHF World Junior Championship Game on December 29, 2022 in Moncton, Canada. (Dale Preston/Getty Images)
During his time in AHL, Lucius, a center, played in just 54 games, and recorded seven goals and 20 assists.
