Over the last decade, health officials have finally started to take concussions very seriously, especially in sports. While in the past, people may have tried to play through them, that is not the case anymore.
The brain is a very delicate thing and concussions can cause some serious long-lasting effects to your body. We've seen quite a few players over the years be forced to retire due to concussions, some of the biggest names being Eric Lindros and Paul Kariya.
Unfortunately this is now happening to another player in the NHL. Ondrej Kase was a 7th round pick of the Anaheim Ducks who worked his way into the league just 2 years after being drafted. In his second season, Kase scored 20 goals in 66 games, but unfortunately hasn't hit that total again. Over his career, that 66 game season was the most game he played in a year due to injuries.
After spending last season with the Toronto Maple Leafs, he signed with the Carolina Hurricanes this season, but after only 1 game, he has been in concussion protocol since October 13th.
While there is good news, he is upping his workload and has been skating in team practices in a no-contact jersey, but the bad news is, it doesn't sound like he will be playing another game in the NHL.
Reports are coming out that he plans to return to his home country and play in the Czech league next season. According to reporter Jakub Koreis, the 27 year old will likely sign with HC Verva Litvinov.
