Derek Dorsett's playing days appear to be over.
The forward will not return to the Vancouver Canucks' active roster due to both his current condition and the health risks associated with playing, general manager Jim Benning announced Thursday.
Dorsett underwent cervical disc herniation surgery last December and was cleared to return this season, but recently returned to Vancouver with neck symptoms and back stiffness. Upon further evaluation, doctors recommended he seriously consider not playing again after being diagnosed with a separate cervical disc herniation.
The veteran of 515 NHL games offered the following response:
“What I can say for certain right now is that I left it all out on the ice. I gave my heart and soul to the teams I played for and never backed down from a challenge, including this one." - Dorsett (@Twigy15) pic.twitter.com/10OmlCFotb
— Vancouver Canucks (@Canucks) November 30, 2017
Dorsett scored seven goals in 20 games this season, tying his career high set through 79 games back in 2014-15. Drafted in the seventh round by Columbus back in 2006, he racked up 51 goals, 76 assists, and 1,314 penalty minutes since entering the NHL in 2008.
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