Chaz Lucius just couldn’t stay healthy, his body repeatedly betraying him as he struggled to get his hockey career going over the past several seasons.

Now, a devastating diagnosis in the ongoing search for answers: The 21-year-old Winnipeg Jets first-round draft pick has Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (EDS), a hereditary disorder that affects the connective tissue that stabilizes and supports the joints and organs throughout the body.

“It is with great disappointment that I am announcing my retirement from playing professional hockey,” Lucius said Tuesday in a written statement released by his agency.

MIKE DEAL / FREE PRESS files Chaz Lucius has often struggled with injuries during his career.

The 18th-overall selection in 2021 seemingly had all the tools to be an impact player with the Jets but never did get an NHL game under his belt. Lucius did appear in 54 American Hockey Leagues games over parts of three seasons with the Manitoba Moose, including 25 this year before the latest series of physical setbacks shut him down.

This time for good.

“As I struggled with incurring and recovering from various joint injuries over the past several years, I had thought I was just unlucky,” wrote Lucius. “With this diagnosis of EDS, I now realize that my body impacted by EDS could not handle the physical nature of playing hockey.”

Lucius, who was born in Kansas but moved to Minnesota, was part of the U.S. National Development team and had 19 points (9G, 10A) in 24 games with the University of Minnesota during the 2021-22 season, which he was unable to finish due to a knee injury.

After turning pro in the fall of 2022 and joining the Moose, he played a starring role that winter on the American World Junior team which won a bronze medal. He was then loaned to the Portland Winterhawks of the Western Hockey League with 15 points (5G, 10A) in just six games before he got hurt again, this time to a shoulder.

Lucius had 13 points in 17 AHL games last year before suffering a third-straight season-ending ailment that once again required surgery. His ankle was the culprit.

Lucius told the Free Press last summer how all these physical challenges had made him mentally stronger. He was finally feeling healthy and strong and even appeared in a Jets preseason game after an encouraging training camp.

“I know what I need to do. Whether that’s a whole year in the AHL or maybe if I’m playing great hockey I can hopefully get a game or two next year, that would be awesome as well,” he said during summer development camp.

“First and foremost, I just need to stay healthy and prove I can play consistent hockey.”

His year started well enough with the Moose, only to once again be derailed by something completely out of his control. His last game came in early February as he began consulting various specialists about what had gone so horribly wrong.

In his retirement announcement, he thanked the Jets organization, co-owner Mark Chipman, general manager Kevin Cheveldayoff, Moose GM Craig Heisinger, team doctor Peter MacDonald and other medical and training staff with the Jets and Moose for helping him “through a very challenging time.”

“I particularly want to thank Mike Keane, who consistently checked in on me and cared for me as a person as well as a player,” Lucius said of the former NHLer who now works for the Jets in player development.

“Finally, I want to thank all of my current and former teammates and coaches. I feel blessed to have experienced all that hockey gave me over the years even though I am crushed that I cannot continue to pursue my dream of playing in the NHL. I look forward to being an advocate for those suffering with EDS and to all that is ahead of me.”

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The Jets issued a statement saying they “fully support his difficult decision to retire” and that this is ultimately for the best.

“Chaz’s condition and struggles with Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome put him at risk of injury if he continues to play at the professional level, so we understand his choice,” said the team.

“We wish Chaz all the best in his efforts to be an advocate for those dealing with EDS and hope for a bright future in front of him.

mike.mcintyre@freepress.mb.ca

X and Bluesky: @mikemcintyrewpg

Mike McIntyre Reporter

Mike McIntyre is a sports reporter whose primary role is covering the Winnipeg Jets. After graduating from the Creative Communications program at Red River College in 1995, he spent two years gaining experience at the Winnipeg Sun before joining the Free Press in 1997, where he served on the crime and justice beat until 2016. Read more about Mike.

Every piece of reporting Mike produces is reviewed by an editing team before it is posted online or published in print — part of the Free Press‘s tradition, since 1872, of producing reliable independent journalism. Read more about Free Press’s history and mandate, and learn how our newsroom operates.