
Winnipeg Jets prospect Chaz Lucius retires from hockey at age 21 for medical reasons
Chaz Lucius, a first-round pick by the Winnipeg Jets in 2021, retired from professional hockey Tuesday after being diagnosed with Ehlers-Danlos syndrome.
Lucius, 21, never played in the NHL but scored seven goals and 27 points in 54 AHL games for the Manitoba Moose, the Jets' top minor league affiliate.
'Recently, I was diagnosed with Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (EDS) which is a hereditary disorder that affects the connective tissue that stabilizes and supports the joints and organs throughout the body,' Lucius said in a statement on social media from his agency, Newport Sports.
On behalf of Chaz Lucius and his family.
We would like to congratulate Chaz and his family on all his career accomplishments and wish him all the best in his next chapter. pic.twitter.com/nVCapIbRh9
— Newport Sports (@TheHockeyAgency) April 8, 2025
'As I struggled with incurring and recovering from various joint injuries over the past several years, I had thought I was just unlucky. With this diagnosis of EDS, I now realize that my body impacted by EDS could not handle the physical nature of playing hockey,' he continued.
According to the Cleveland Clinic, EDS is 'a genetic condition that makes your body's connective tissue weaker than it should be.' It also explains that EDS usually impacts the skin and joints. There is no cure, but EDS is not life-threatening once a person learns to manage symptoms and prevent potentially dangerous complications.
Advertisement
Lucius, a center, was ranked as the top Jets prospect in 2023 by The Athletic's Murat Ates. However, even then, injuries were a concern.
Ates wrote this as part of his 2023 rankings:
'Chaz Lucius needs to stay healthy. He's finished three straight seasons on the sidelines and, at 20 years old, can already name his shoulder, knee and ankle as 'body parts repaired by surgery.''
Lucius had fallen to eighth among Jets prospects only a year later — primarily because of his inability to stay healthy.
The Jets, also in a statement, said they supported Lucius' retirement.
'After much discussion and consultation with Chaz, his representatives, and medical professionals, the Winnipeg Jets Hockey Club fully supports his difficult decision to retire. Chaz's condition and struggles with Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (EDS) put him at risk of injury if he continues to play at the professional level, so we understand his choice. 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.'
Lucius reiterated that he looks forward 'to being an advocate for those suffering with EDS and to all that is ahead of me.'

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Medscape
3 hours ago
- Medscape
Video Game Improves Trauma Triage in EDs
In a secondary analysis of a trial, exposure to an educational video game on trauma triage was associated with a moderate increase in emergency department (ED) physicians' willingness to transfer injured patients to trauma centers and a smaller improvement in their ability to recognize severely injured patients. METHODOLOGY: Researchers conducted a process evaluation of a randomized clinical trial that involved 800 physicians (mean age, 43.7 years) responsible for trauma triage at EDs in levels III-V trauma centers and nontrauma centers across the US. Participants were randomly assigned to receive either usual education (control group) or a customized video game intervention designed to recalibrate trauma triage heuristics. Those in the intervention group played the game for 2 hours, after which all participants completed a 36-case virtual simulation to assess decision-making. Researchers used the signal detection theory and analyzed: Perceptual sensitivity, defined as the ability to distinguish between patients who meet vs do not meet criteria for transfer; and decisional threshold, defined as tolerance for false-positive or false-negative decisions. TAKEAWAY: Exposure to the video game was associated with a significant reduction in undertriage rates (22% vs 38%; P < .001) and a slight increase in overtriage (39% vs 34%; P < .001). < .001) and a slight increase in overtriage (39% vs 34%; < .001). Video game intervention led to a moderate increase in tolerance for false-positive decisions (intervention standard deviation [SD] units, 0.14; control SD units, 0.53) and a moderate (Cohen d = 0.60) increase in willingness to transfer. The intervention group was also associated with a higher perceptual sensitivity (1.00 SD units vs 0.87 SD units; P < .001), indicating a small improvement (Cohen d = 0.20) in recognizing severely injured patients. < .001), indicating a small improvement (Cohen d = 0.20) in recognizing severely injured patients. The intervention's effect was more pronounced among physicians working ≥ 10 shifts per month, who showed a greater reduction in undertriage (40% in the control group vs 22% in the intervention group; P = .05). IN PRACTICE: 'The results of this secondary analysis of a randomized clinical trial suggest that educational adventure video games have the potential to improve physician performance in time-sensitive conditions and appear to act by increasing physicians' willingness to implement clinical practice guidelines,' the study authors wrote. SOURCE: This study was led by Deepika Mohan, MD, MPH, Department of Surgery, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine in Pittsburgh. It was published online on June 4 in JAMA Network Open . LIMITATIONS: The use of simulation for process evaluation may not fully reflect real-world decision-making. Physicians exposed to the intervention may have had an advantage in completing the virtual simulation. Additionally, the differences in response rates between intervention and control groups, potentially due to perceived differences in honoraria value, could have introduced bias. DISCLOSURES: This study was supported by grants from the National Institutes of Health. Two authors reported receiving grants from various sources. One author reported receiving $250 to participate in a stakeholder meeting.


USA Today
6 hours ago
- USA Today
PFF identifies a former Wisconsin star as a breakout candidate entering 2025 NFL season
PFF identifies a former Wisconsin star as a breakout candidate entering 2025 NFL season These Year 2 players are poised to take the next step 📈 — PFF (@PFF) June 10, 2025 Former Wisconsin and current New York Jets running back Braelon Allen landed on ProFootballFocus' recent list of second-year players poised for increased roles during the 2025 NFL season. Allen joined the Jets before the 2024 season as the No. 134 pick of the 2024 NFL draft. The Fond du Lac, Wisconsin, native was listed as a potential second-year breakout alongside tackle Patrick Paul (Miami Dolphins), guard Kingsley Suamataia (Kansas City Chiefs), edge Jalyx Hunt (Philadelphia Eagles), wide receiver Ricky Pearsall (San Francisco 49ers), guard Christian Mahogany (Detroit Lions), running back Jaylen Wright (Miami Dolphins), wide receiver Roman Wilson (Pittsburgh Steelers), tackle Blake Fisher (Houston Texans) and defensive lineman Darius Robinson (Arizona Cardinals). Interestingly, the former Badger is only one of three offensive playmakers to earn a spot on the list. The UW alumnus tallied 92 carries for 334 yards and two rushing touchdowns as a rookie in 2024, in addition to 148 receiving yards and a receiving score in a complementary role to starter Breece Hall in the backfield. Yes, Allen's production was held back by his No. 2 role behind Hall, but his productivity suggests that his workload could increase this coming season. Here's what PFF had to say about Allen ahead of the 2025 slate: "Allen impressed in his rookie campaign with the Jets, earning an 82.0 PFF rushing grade across 92 rushing attempts, and he did so as the youngest active player (20 years old) in the NFL. Breece Hall is expected to remain the lead back in New York, but the arrow is pointing up on Allen's outlook this season. Ball security is always a big factor when it comes to playing time for running backs. Last season, Allen didn't fumble once, whereas Hall was charged with six. Although Hall's production is above average, it has steadily declined over the past two seasons when it comes to yards per carry and yards after contact per attempt after an electric start to his career. With Hall set to become a free agent in 2026, it would not be a surprise to see the Jets give Allen a bigger role in his second season. First-year offensive coordinator Tanner Engstrand worked under Ben Johnson in Detroit and figures to bring his run-first mentality to the Jets, something that bodes well for Allen in his second season." Plus, Allen did all of his work in 2024 with four-time NFL MVP Aaron Rodgers under center for the Jets in 2024. With Rodgers in Pittsburgh, the Jets now turn to former Steeler Justin Fields -- a dynamic, dual-threat passer -- at quarterback. Fields' ability to run as a quarterback puts pressure on opposing defenses, naturally enabling Allen to become an even bigger threat in what could morph into a run-heavy offense. The Jets open the season against the Steelers on Sept. 7 in New York. Contact/Follow @TheBadgersWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Wisconsin Badgers news, notes and opinion
Yahoo
10 hours ago
- Yahoo
Jets' Justin Fields Offers Positive Breece Hall Scouting Report
Jets' Justin Fields Offers Positive Breece Hall Scouting Report originally appeared on Athlon Sports. New York Jets quarterback Justin Fields is slowly getting acclimated to his new surroundings as minicamp continues. Advertisement At this stage of the offseason, it's all about dotting your i's and crossing your t's and getting to know your teammates. One whom Fields will be working closely with in 2025 is running back Breece Hall. Entering the final year of his deal and the subject of some trade speculation, Hall will be a Jet in 2025, and Fields' security blanket in both the run and pass game. And Justin already likes what he sees from Breece. "Breece is a ball player for sure," Fields said. "Everybody knows he can run, but what kind of surprised me is his natural hands. When I first started throwing with him, he has natural hands like a receiver. He's really just all around back, so definitely glad to have him on my team for sure." New York Jets running back Breece Hall (20) runs with the ball© Kevin R. / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images Hall, as a receiver in his last two years, has totaled at least 50 receptions and 480 yards along with a handful of touchdowns, with his ability to catch and turn upfield a highlight. Advertisement With new head coach Aaron Glenn wanting the Jets to play a tough, physical brand of football, Hall will be central to that. His ability as a runner is well-documented, and now Fields is seeing how valuable Breece can be as a receiver. With many skeptics questioning the Jets' offense due to a lack of receiving weapons outside of Garrett Wilson, perhaps Hall can take his game to the next level as a pass-catcher. He's already catching the eye of Fields, so expect Breece to play a significant role for Tanner Engstrand in 2025, with his receiving skills being a key feature. Related: Jets Fans Monitoring Lazard After Rodgers Signing Related: Jets Duo Named New York's 'Biggest Loss' In Odd Aaron Rodgers Spin This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 12, 2025, where it first appeared.