NHL first-round pick retires at age 21 due to tissue disorder diagnosis

An NHL imaginable was forced to bent up his skates earlier ever playing for the squad that drafted him.

Chaz Lucius, a first-round prime 4 years ago, announced his status Tuesday owed to an Ehlers-Danlos syndrome diagnosis.

Lucius was drafted by the Winnipeg Jets with the 18th wide enactment and had been playing for their AHL affiliate.

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Winnipeg's Chaz Lucius applies unit connected the forecheck during the 3rd play against Ottawa connected Sept. 29, 2023. (Richard A. Whittaker/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

"I thought I was conscionable unlucky. With this diagnosis of EDS, I present recognize that my assemblage could not grip the carnal quality of playing hockey," Lucius said successful a statement. "Given this condition, my wounded history, and the carnal quality of hockey, I person been medically advised not to proceed to play."

Lucius said that helium had been dealing with associated injuries implicit the years and had trouble recovering from them.

"I consciousness blessed to person experienced each that hockey gave maine implicit the years adjacent though I americium crushed that I cannot proceed to prosecute my imagination of playing successful the NHL," helium said.

Minnesota's Chaz Lucius is shown during the crippled against Michigan State connected Feb. 5, 2022. (Bailey Hillesheim/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

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"After overmuch treatment and consultation with Chaz, his representatives, and aesculapian professionals, the Winnipeg Jets Hockey Club afloat supports his hard determination to retire," the Jets said successful a statement. "Chaz's information and struggles with Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (EDS) enactment him astatine hazard of wounded if helium continues to play astatine the nonrecreational level, truthful we recognize his choice. We privation Chaz each the champion successful his efforts to beryllium an advocator for those dealing with EDS and anticipation for a agleam aboriginal successful beforehand of him."

Lucius was a subordinate of the United States National Development Program earlier playing astatine the University of Minnesota for the 2021-22 season. He competed successful the 2023 World Juniors wherever helium and the United States won a bronze medal.

Chaz Lucius of Team USA is shown against Team Switzerland during the IIHF World Junior Championship crippled connected Dec. 29, 2022, successful Moncton, Canada. (Dale Preston/Getty Images)

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During his clip successful the AHL, Lucius, a center, played successful conscionable 54 games, signaling 7 goals and 20 assists.

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