Former Oilers Defenceman Justin Schultz has announced his retirement after playing just 8 games this season in Switzerland.
Schultz was actually connected to signing with the Oilers at the beginning of this season.
After just 8 games with HC Lugano, the team released a statement detailing Schultz' decision to step away from the sport of hockey.
"Justin Schultz has informed the club of his decision to end his career immediately due to personal reasons and return to Canada,"- HC Lugano
Schultz himself added his own reasoning to the statement, explaining that hos decision had nothing to do with hockey, and he'll be returning to Canada to be with his family.
"My decision is entirely personal. After discussions with my family, I've decided to retire and return to Canada. I thank Hockey Club Lugano for their professionalism and respect for my decision"- Justin Schultz
Schultz produced at a great clip in his short stint with Lugano, scoring 6 points in his 8 games. He clearly still has the ability, which really shows this decision to retire was personal.
Former Oiler Justin Schultz explains Decision to Retire
It must be an incredibly tough transition to play an entire career in North America, and then uproot your life and family to play in another country and culture one the other side of the world.
At the same time, it's also brutally hard to hang up the skates - but it seems like Schultz made that tough choice.
The Oilers signed Schultz as a college free agent back in 2012, and he joined the NHL roster in the 2012-13 season. Schultz was an effective puck-moving defenceman for the Oilers, but played on the poor McDavid era teams.
After being traded to Pittsburgh, Schultz won two Stanley Cups and after some time with the Washington Captials and Seattle Kraken, he's put together an impressive NHL career of 745 games after. Oilers fans and hockey fans will wish all the best to Schultz in his next chapter.
