Washington Capitals forward Patrick Wey has decided to retire from the NHL at age 24 due to concussion issues.
According to a report from Mike Vogel of WashingtonCaps.com, after back-to-back concussions, Wey made the difficult decision to retire and will now "pursue educational interests."
Wey, a former fourth-round pick for the Caps in the 2009 NHL Draft, had his 2014-15 season ended in Oct. when Lehigh Valley Phantoms enforcer Jay Rosehill made contact with Wey's head on a hit. Rosehill was given a one-game suspension for the blow.
The season prior, Wey's campaign was ended when Nashville Predators heavyweight Rich Clune knocked out Wey - who had only fought once prior in his career before that bout - after the pair dropped the gloves following a big, but clean hit from Wey on Clune.
The notion of removing fighting from hockey has been swirling for years now as the game itself trends away from bigger, slower, more physical players towards smaller, faster, more highly-skilled talents.
Gone are the days of the goon, though some teams like the Boston Bruins, can't keep themselves, even this offseason, from amassing players like Zac Rinaldo who seem more and more like relics of a bygone NHL age.
Really, Wey's issue only serves to further highlight both the fleeting nature of a career in professional athletics and the necessity for the NHL - and the NFL - to place an increased importance on preventing head injuries.
Just this offseason, the NFL saw former San Francisco 49ers linebacker Chris Borland retire due to concussion issues despite a promising rookie season and what would likely have been an almost certain starting gig heading into his second professional season.
For Wey, who only appeared in nine NHL games, all in the 2013-14 season, there was no guarantee he'd even have a chance at the Capitals roster in 2015-16 or, really, ever. Thus, his decision to walk away, while jarring, is not wholly unexpected.
Still, it's a scary thought that a 24-year-old should be forced to walk away from a game he presumably loves and would be compensated handsomely to play over fear for his health and general well-being.
