Winnipeg Jets Prospect Chaz Lucius Retires At 21 After Medical Diagnosis
Winnipeg Jets Prospect Chaz Lucius Retires At 21 After Medical Diagnosis
Winnipeg Jets first-rounder Chaz Lucius announced his retirement from pro hockey at just 21 years old after being diagnosed with EDS.
Chaz Lucius, who was selected in the first round by the Winnipeg Jets in the 2021 NHL Draft, announced Tuesday that he is retiring from professional hockey at 21 years old. In a statement released through his agents at Newport Sports, Lucius revealed that he has been diagnosed with Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (EDS).
According to the Mayo Clinic, EDS is “a group of inherited disorders that affect your connective tissues – primarily skin, joins and blood vessel walls.”
Lucius has battled many injuries over the course of his young career which included stops at USA Hockey’s National Team Development Program, the University of Minnesota, Portland Winterhawks and most recently with the AHL’s Manitoba Moose.
On behalf of Chaz Lucius and his family.
— Newport Sports (@TheHockeyAgency) April 8, 2025
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
Lucius had played in 25 games with Manitoba this season, the last of which came on February 9.
He has not appeared in more than 25 games in a season since his U17 year at the NTDP when he led that team in scoring and was viewed as one of the very best players in his age group.
A late injury during his U18 season that cost him a trip to the Under-18 World Championship did not deter teams from viewing him as a first-round prospect. Lucius was picked 18th overall by Winnipeg.
Lucius did get another chance to represent his country at the 2023 World Junior Championship when he had seven points in seven games including five goals. Team USA won bronze at that event with Lucius recording a hat trick in the bronze-medal game.
Injuries have followed Lucius for years, but now he has an explanation.
“As I struggled with incurring and recovering from various joint injuries over the past several years, I had thought I was just unlucky,” Lucius wrote in the statement. “With this diagnosis of EDS, I now realize that my body impacted by EDS could not handle the physical nature of playing hockey. Given this condition, my injury history and the physical nature of hockey, I have been medically advised not to continue to play.”
Lucius went on to thank his family and the Winnipeg organization with a special nod to Mike Keane, a former NHL player who is now in Winnipeg’s player development department.
The following is a statement from the Winnipeg Jets Hockey Club regarding the decision by Chaz Lucius to retire from professional hockey:
— Winnipeg Jets (@NHLJets) April 8, 2025
After much discussion and consultation with Chaz, his representatives, and medical professionals, the Winnipeg Jets Hockey Club fully… pic.twitter.com/Qag2e2j9vJ
Lucius says he hopes to be an advocate for those suffering with EDS.
Born in Lawrence, Kansas, Lucius was raised in Minnesota along with brother Cruz Lucius, who is a prospect of the Pittsburgh Penguins.
Lucius retires with 27 points in 54 games of AHL action, all with the Manitoba Moose over the last three seasons.
Watch AHL, ECHL, USHL And More On FloHockey
FloHockey is the streaming home to some of the best hockey leagues in North America, including the AHL, ECHL and more. Check out the broadcast schedule to watch more hockey.
NHL Prospect Coverage On FloHockey
The best, and most complete coverage of the NHL minor league hockey and NHL Draft is found on FloHockey. Don't miss the latest new prospect guides, rankings and more from Chris Peters and the FloHockey staff.
Join The Hockey Conversation On FloHockey Social
- Follow us on Twitter @FloHockey
- Follow us on Instagram @flohockey
- Follow us on TikTok @flohockeytv
- Watch us on YouTube
- Like us on Facebook