Ryane Clowe Announces End of Playing Career

It appears that Ryane Clowe’s career may be at an end. Clowe’s doctors have recommended he not play again and he will follow their suggestion, according to The Record’s Tom Gulitti.

Clowe has struggled with concussions for years, largely due to his style of play, and suffered another concussion last season, which limited him to just 13 games.

Gulitti reports that the announcement was made by new Devils GM Ray Shero, who said that Clowe will stay on IR or LTIR, if the salary cap requires that, for the final three years of his contract, which carries a $4.85 million AAV.

Ryane Clowe will be unable to play hockey now or in the future, Devils GM Ray Shero says

— Tom Gulitti (@TomGulittiNHL) September 11, 2015

Clowe told Gulitti, “I would have loved to play again,” but he will follow the recommendations of his doctors and hang up his skates. It’s not an official retirement, but will be the end of his career with a retirement likely to come, from the sound of things, once his contract with the Devils has expired.

It’s a sad end to a career that had high points and some great promise, but was held back by this series of concussions.

It’s horrible to see careers end this way, both because it represents the end of a player’s playing ambitions in a way that they surely never dreamed would happen and, more importantly, for the long-term impact this has on a player’s life and the life of their family members.

With so much focus on better helmets, players suing the league and stories like Clowe’s or Keith Ballard’s (who also retired this summer due to concussions) this should be a topic that continues to be looked at and discussed around the league, hopefully with the end result that the league continues to take steps toward protecting players.

Ryane Clowe praised way Devils, Lou Lamoriello and Ray Shero have treated him. Said always put Ryane Clowe the person ahead of the player

— Tom Gulitti (@TomGulittiNHL) September 11, 2015