Vancouver Canucks forward Derek Dorsett is ending his hockey career due to spinal issues.
The team says doctors have recommended he not return to the ice because of 鈥渓ong-term, significant health risks鈥� associated with a cervical disc herniation.
Dorsett was shut down 14 games into the 2016-17 season when the numbness he often felt after taking or receiving a hit became progressively worse.
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The 30-year-old from Kindersley, Sask., underwent spinal surgery a year ago and was cleared to play this season.
But he recently began experiencing back and neck stiffness.
Dorsett鈥檚 surgeon, Dr. Robert Watkins, says tests revealed that he has sustained a 鈥渃ervical disc herniation adjacent and separate to his previous fusion.鈥�
Watkins and team doctors advised Dorsett not to resume his hockey career.
Dorsett says he is 鈥漝evastated by the news鈥� but that there is no 鈥済rey area.鈥�
In 515 NHL games, Dorsett collected 51 goals and 76 assists.
鈥淲hat I can say for certain right now is that I left it all out on the ice. I gave my heart and soul to the teams I played for and never backed down from a challenge, including this one." - Dorsett ()
鈥� Vancouver Canucks (@Canucks)
The Canadian Press
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