Rather heartbreaking news hit the NHL world on Thursday as Henrik Lundqvist announced that he would be withdrawing from the 2021 NHL season due to a heart condition. The 38-year-old netminder had spent his entire career with the New York Rangers before signing a one-year deal with the Washington Capitals in October.
In the statement he shared on social media, the Swede explained that he had conversations with his doctors, but the risk was too high for him to take the ice this season. He began the statement by writing “it breaks my heart (literally) to share this news.”
“For the past 2 months I’ve been so inspired by the opportunity to play in DC and committed to my game, spending every day at the rink to prepare for the upcoming season,” Lundqvist shared. “The news was very difficult to process but after the last test result earlier this week we knew there was only one way to go from here.”
— Henrik Lundqvist (@hlundqvist35) December 17, 2020
Lundqvist also shared a video message for Caps fans out there.
— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) December 17, 2020
Lundqvist is one of the more respected and beloved players in the NHL and hockey fans took to Twitter to react to the sad news.
— Donald (Tour of '96) (@Donald1996_) December 17, 2020
— Derek Brandon Felix (@DFlex2123) December 17, 2020
— MachLandar (@MachLandar) December 17, 2020
— Tyler McGillick (@TylerRichard93) December 17, 2020
— 𝑀𝑒𝑙𝑖𝑠𝑠𝑎 𝑀𝑒𝑟𝑚𝑎𝑖𝑑🌀 (@MelissaMermaid) December 17, 2020
