Veteran center Brandon Sutter is giving up on his attempt to return to professional hockey. Sutter confirmed his decision in a statement and announced he is retiring from the NHL for good.
Sutter last played during the 2020–21 season, when he had 12 points in 43 games with the Vancouver Canucks. He ended up missing the following two seasons after contracting COVID and struggling to recover.
Sutter launched his comeback attempt with the Edmonton Oilers last month and put up a solid display during three preseason games he played. However, Sutter didn’t feel he was ready to go through an entire season.
“I’m grateful for the opportunity that Ken, Jay, and the Oilers organization have provided to me the past few weeks,” Sutter said in a statement. “You need to be 100 per cent healthy to compete in the NHL, and although my health continues to improve, in consideration of my health and family, I am officially retiring from hockey.”
Brandon Sutter made his professional debut with the Carolina Hurricanes in the 2008-09 NHL season. He spent four years with the organization before embarking on stints with the Pittsburgh Penguins and the Canucks. Sutter has 152 goals and 137 assists in 770 career games in the NHL.
