Pascal Leclaire Retires Early

  At the age of 30, goaltender Pascal Leclaire is calling it quits. For all too many years Leclaire has battled injuries – namely to the hip, which has caused his early retirement from professional hockey.

"I tried to go back this summer and I was operated on three times in my right hip in the hope of returning, but I still have trouble today," he said.

  Leclaire was drafted 8th overall by the Columbus blue Jackets in 2001, and appeared in 173 NHL games. His finishes 61-76-15 with a2.89 goals against average and .904 save percentage and 10 shutouts. In the post season, he appeared three times going 1-2-0 with a 2.84 GAA and .920 save percentage.

  His career year of 2007-08 saw Leclaire start more games than he ever would in an NHL year. In 54 games, Leclaire went 24-17-6 and 9 shutouts. His left knee injury in April would be the beginning of the end. The following year Leclaire lost his starting role to the future of the Columbus Blue Jackets plan for the crease as Steve Mason played a brilliant rookie season. Leclaire would appear only 12 times in 2008-09, and in March of 2009 he was dealt to the Ottawa Senators for Antoine Vermette. Leclaire would appear just 48 times more between 2009 and 2011. The last NHL game of the young Canadian’s career was played Dec. 16, 2010, where he stopped 23 of 24 shots and won against the Minnesota Wild.

  Leclaire has had a horrendous bout with injuries all throughout his hockey career that span from concussions to broken jaws, hip and ankle injuries, hand, hamstring, knee, neck, and groin. The list goes on, and there is literally no place on the man’s body that hasn’t been affected by the game he loves.

  It is a true shame that Leclaire has been forced out, because besides the radical hair-do’s he’s always been known for, he leaves behind a great deal of unfulfilled potential and promise as a great goaltender in the National Hockey League. I wish him best in his next phase in life.

- Kendall Grubbs