Blackhawks forward Marian Hossa could be forced to retire due to an allergic reaction to equipment, Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman reported on Tuesday.
Messages left for a Blackhawks spokesperson and Hossa’s agent Ritch Winter were not immediately returned Tuesday night.
Hossa, who turned 38 in January, said after the Blackhawks’ season he expected to be back next season.
“Yeah, I’m planning on it,” Hossa said on April 22. “Just train hard again this summer and get ready for the next year.”
Hossa also expressed a desire to remain playing with the Blackhawks and was planning to soon begin his offseason routine when recently interviewed by Slovakia Sport reporter Tomas Prokop.