Marian Hossa has been the forefront of the Chicago Blackhawks success for the last eight seasons, winning three Stanley Cups with the club in 2010, 2013, and 2015 respectively. He has also put up Hall of Fame numbers in his career, having 525 goals, but now, his career could be in jeopardy. It was announced late Tuesday night that the Slovakian forward has a progressive skin disorder and he will miss the 2017-18 NHL season, which also may push him to retirement.
According to multiple reports, the 38-year-old has been receiving private treatments via the Blackhawks team doctors over the last few years and they have strong reasoning that the cause of his condition is due to his hockey equipment, and the condition was becoming harder and harder to treat with conventional medication while he played, says Michael Terry, the lead physician for the Chicago Blackhawks.
Hossa released a statement, saying, “Due to the severe side effects associated with those medications, playing hockey is not possible for me during the upcoming 2017-18 season.”
Hossa had 26 goals and 45 points last season for Chicago. He currently has four years left on his contract, which carries a $5.275 million cap hit. The likelihood of Hossa going on long-term injured reserve is in the cards, which will free the Blackhawks from his cap hit.
General manager, Stan Bowman, told reporters, “This is extremely difficult because we all know the incredible person and player that Marian Hossa is. The organization will continue to provide him every resource he needs to maintain his health.”
Marian Hossa is one of the great guys to ever lace up his skates for the National Hockey League. We wish him the very best with his recovery!
