Tampa Bay Lightning forward Ryan Callahan is being placed on long-term injured reserve after he was diagnosed with a serious back issue. the team announced.
General manager Julien BriseBois said that doctors recommended that he no longer play hockey because of degenerative disc disease of his lumbar spine.
"He's such a proud competitor, such a fierce competitor. I know he was planning to not only play out this contract, but sign another contract after that," BriseBois said, according to NHL.com
The 34-year-old Callahan had seven goals and 10 assists in 52 games last season.