Due to concussion issues, former Columbus Blue Jackets, New York Rangers, and Boston Bruins forward Rick Nash has announced his retirement from the NHL.
Last March, Boston Bruins forward Rick Nash suffered a concussion. While he was able to come back and play in the Stanley Cup Playoffs, it turns out that concussion was the last straw for his career. On Friday, his agent released a statement, announcing his client’s retirement from the NHL.
Nash is best known for his time with the Columbus Blue Jackets and New York Rangers. He is the former’s franchise leader in goal (289), assists (258), and points (547). The Blue Jackets drafted Nash with the first overall pick of the 2002 NHL Draft. Nash has six of the Blue Jackets’ top goal scoring seasons, including each of the top three.
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He has the only two seasons with at least 40 goals and remains the only Columbus player to tie for the league lead in goals. Nash served as their captain from 2008 to 2012. In July of 2012, the Blue Jackets traded him to the Rangers.
Nash had his best season on Broadway during the 2014-15 season. He picked up 42 goals and 27 assists for 69 points. Overall, Nash had 145 goals, 107 assists, and 252 points in six seasons with the Rangers.
He’s just the latest player to have his career ended by concussion issues. Nash had numerous concussions, including several with the Rangers.
He narrowly missed out on winning the Stanley Cup, though he helped the blue shirts make it to the 2013-14 Stanley Cup Final, where they lost to the Los Angeles Kings.
Nash was hoping to make a return this season around the trade deadline. However, his last concussion was simply too much. It would have been too risky for Nash to return due to the potential for future brain damage.
He played for Team Canada at three consecutive Olympics (2006, 2010, and 2014). In 2010, Nash put up five points in seven games while he put up one point in six games during the 2014 Olympics.
Sadly, Nash’s career was ended by concussions and injuries. In his prime, he was one of the best scoring power forwards in the league.