Winnipeg Jets prospect Chaz Lucius retires at 21 due to excruciating health discovery

A 21-year-old NHL prospect has decided to retire after doctors discovered the reason behind his frequent joint injuries.

Chaz Lucius announced his retirement Tuesday while revealing he’s been diagnosed with Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (EDS), which he described as “a hereditary disorder that affects the connective tissue that stabilizes and supports the joints and organs throughout the body.”

Doctors recommended that the American center, a first-round pick (No. 18 overall) by the Jets in 2021, stop playing hockey.

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“As I struggled with incurring and recovering from various joint injuries over the past several years, I had thought I was just unlucky. With this diagnosis of EDS, I now realize that my body impacted by EDS could not handle the physical nature of playing hockey,” Lucius said in a statement through his agency, Newport Sports. “Given this condition, my injury history, and the physical nature of hockey, I have been medically advised not to continue to play.”

The Jets said in a statement that the team “fully supports” Lucius’ decision.

EDS “makes your body’s connective tissue weaker than it should be,” according to the Cleveland Clinic, and there is no cure.

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A native of Lawrence, Kan., Lucius represented the U.S. at the 2023 world juniors, where he helped the team capture bronze.

He scored the game-winning goal in overtime to finish a hat trick in the Americans’ 8-7 victory over Sweden in the bronze-medal game.

Lucius signed a pro contract with the Jets in 2022 after one college season at Minnesota but never appeared in an NHL regular-season game.

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Lucius had three goals and six assists in 25 games this season for the Jets’ AHL team, the Manitoba Moose.

“I look forward to being an advocate for those suffering with EDS and to all that is ahead of me,” Lucius said.