Pascal Dupuis will no longer play hockey

[sureLoss]

http://penguins.nhl.com/club/news.ht...t-twt-penguins

Pittsburgh Penguins forward Pascal Dupuis will no longer play hockey because of a medical condition related to blood clots, Dupuis and the team announced today.

Dupuis, 36, had played 18 games this season while taking blood thinners but experienced several recent medical incidents possibly related to his condition. He had to be removed from several games – most recently on December 1 at San Jose – and each time had to undergo a series of tests.

“Despite playing on a medical protocol that has worked for other players in the NHL, we feel that the risk of Pascal playing with his condition and the side effects of the tests to monitor him are just not in the best interest of his long-term health,” said Dr. Dharmesh Vyas, the Penguins’ team physician.

Dupuis has been placed on the injured reserve list, and the Penguins intend to place him on long-term injured reserve.

“It was very difficult for me to make this decision to have to step away from the game,” Dupuis said. “My wife and four children have always been my first priority, and playing with my condition has become a constant worry for all of us. I want to thank my teammates and the Penguins organization for their unwavering support during this difficult time.”

[N-E-B]

That's too bad. It always sucks when someone can't play due to circumstances beyond their control.

[Travis Munroe]

Props to him for knowing when to shut it down

[Locke]

Credit to the guy. Thats a hard call but he made it.

[tvp2003]

Mandatory reading:

http://www.theplayerstribune.com/in-my-blood/
http://www.theplayerstribune.com/pas...uins-comeback/

[IamNotKenKing]

Originally Posted by tvp2003

Mandatory reading:

http://www.theplayerstribune.com/in-my-blood/
http://www.theplayerstribune.com/pas...uins-comeback/

Awesome reads. Thank you.

[Hockey-and_stuff]

Really feel for the guy. It must be agonizing to walk away from a sport because of a condition out of your control.

Hopefully he can move on to coaching or upper management.

[puffnstuff]

I see they dont use the word 'retired' so the Pens get relief with LTIR and Dupuis still gets paid (and I assume the healthcare coverage? not sure how that works but good on the Pens to do that)

[lambeburger]

Originally Posted by puffnstuff

I see they dont use the word 'retired' so the Pens get relief with LTIR and Dupuis still gets paid (and I assume the healthcare coverage? not sure how that works but good on the Pens to do that)

Exactly, Chris Pronger isn't officially retired either so that he still gets paid.

[Erick Estrada]

Crappy way to go out but on the bright side a lot of NHL players wish their careers would have lasted past their mid-30's.

[Locke]

I love the thread title.

"He will no longer play hockey. That is all."

[sureLoss]

Originally Posted by Locke

I love the thread title.

"He will no longer play hockey. That is all."

Yup. Technically he isn't retired. He will stay on LTIR for the rest of his contract so that he can keep get paid.

[Locke]

Originally Posted by sureLoss

Yup. Technically he isn't retired. He will stay on LTIR for the rest of his contract so that he can keep get paid.

I get it, its a medical condition so hes on LTIR, just as us plebeians would be on long-term disability.

I dont begrudge him that, its not his fault, he signed his contract in good faith and an act of God made it impossible for him to fulfill.

Thats why we buy insurance.

I was just commenting on the funny, blunt, yet accurate wording of it.

[Gaudfather]

Actually most people who have had blood clots feel fine (once the clot has dissolved) and don't need to go on disability. But when you are on blood thinners like Coumadin, activities like playing NHL hockey would be no go areas due to bleeding risk if you are cut. The biggest issue with people who get blood clots is the mental one - the fear of it happening again. That's why many stay on drugs like Coumadin indefinitely - the long term effects of that are another story, but beyond the scope of this thread.

I hope Dupuis finds another role within the Penguins organization - he mentioned he had already done some scouting for them.