Many athletes go through a slew of injuries throughout the course of their career. Unfortunately, some end up being career-ending and this may be the case for one NHL-er. On Thursday evening, Tampa Bay Lightning forward Ryan Callahan was placed on long-term injured reserve with degenerative disc disease of his lumbar spine, the lower back.
It may force him to hang up the skates way earlier than expected. Doctors are recommending Callahan no longer play professional hockey due to the strain it will cause to his back.
The 34-year-old Rochester, New York native has played fifteen seasons in the NHL. He began his career with the New York Rangers and was even their captain for a time before being traded mid-season to the Tampa Bay Lightning for Martin St. Louis.
Lightning general manager Julien BriseBois told reporter Caley Chelios, “He’s such a proud competitor. I know he was planning not only to play out this contract, but sign another contract after that.”
In the 2018-19 season, Callahan skated in fifty-two games with the Lightning. He scored just seventeen points (seven goals and ten assists), along with fourteen penalty minutes.
We all wish Ryan Callahan the very best of luck!
