Junior player forced to retire due to head trauma at just 19 years old
Having to end your career at the age of 19-years-old is the last thing that any player wants to do, but unfortunately for Charlottetown Islanders defenceman Lane Hinkley, that's the reality he's facing.
On Monday, through the Charlottetown Islanders' social media accounts, Hinkley announced his retirement from hockey for serious medical reasons.
Hinkley said that after a scan on Friday, he was told that he had a lesion on his brain from hits, fights and concussions he's sustained throughout his young career.
"Friday morning, I was told that my hockey career is over. Too many hits, too many punches, too many concussions that I didn't properly heal from. The doctor said my MRI showed there is a 25mm by 17mm lesion on my brain, as well as other scars that they couldn't determine the size of. Currently, I am at risk for CTE and early dementia." Hinkley said.
The Moncton, New Brunswick native began his QMJHL career with the Acadie-Bathurst Titan in 2020-21 before moving on to play parts of two seasons with the Drummondville Voltigeurs and then was traded to Charlottetown during the 2022-23 campaign.
Everyone here at Blade of Steel would like to wish Lane Hinkley all the best in retirement.
| POLL | ||
OCTOBRE 31 | 73 ANSWERS Junior player forced to retire due to head trauma at just 19 years old Should the OHL and WHL follow the QMJHL and ban fighting in their leagues? | ||
| Yes | 13 | 17.8 % |
| No | 60 | 82.2 % |
| List of polls | ||
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