The hockey community suffered a bit of heartbreak when the Pittsburgh Penguins announced on Tuesday that forward Pascal Dupuis is no longer able to play hockey due to various medical conditions related to blood clots that have escalated in the past couple of weeks.
Penguins Announce Pascal Dupuis Will No Longer Play Hockey
Dupuis, 34, was first diagnosed with a blood clot in January of 2014 while recovering from a knee injury and was placed on blood thinners for the next six months. He returned with the Penguins in October of that same year, but complained of discomfort in his chest weeks later.
On November 19th, 2014, Dupuis suffered a second setback when he was told that the blood clot in his body had reemerged, this time in his lung. He was then shut down for the remainder of the 2014-2015 regular season and did not play in the post-season.
After months and months of treatment for his nagging ailment, the Laval, Quebec native was deemed healthy to participate in hockey activities in June of 2015 by the team of doctors who had been constantly monitoring his condition.
He amassed four points (two goals, two assists) in the 18 games he’s suited up for this season, but had a number of instances where he was unable to finish a game. Most recently, as the Penguins confirmed in a press release, Dupuis left a game on December 1st versus the San Jose Sharks due to pain in his chest.
Penguins General Manager Jim Rutherford repeatedly expressed his sympathy for an individual that has represented the team since he was acquired from the Atlanta Thrashers on February 26th, 2008.
“I feel very badly for Pascal,” Rutherford said in the announcement. “I’ve never seen a man more determined to play and more determined to help his team. Unfortunately, we’ve reached the point where it’s not in the best interest of his health to allow him to do that anymore.”
The 6-foot-1, 205-pound winger went undrafted after spending four seasons with the Rouyn-Noranda Huskies of the QMJHL, but was eventually signed by the Minnesota Wild in 2000. He played in Minnesota for six years before spending brief stints with the New York Rangers and Thrashers. Along with Marian Hossa, Dupuis was acquired by Pittsburgh for Colby Armstrong, Erik Christensen, Angelo Esposito and a 2008 first-round pick.
With a Stanley Cup ring to his name from the 2008-2009 season with the Penguins, Dupuis caps off his NHL career with 409 points in 871 regular season games. He qualified for the playoffs eight times over his 15-season long tenure and scored 19 goals and added 25 assists in 97 contests.
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