The Vancouver Canucks received some tough news this week regarding one of the team's blueliners. According to reports, Canucks defenseman Tucker Poolman won't be hitting the ice anytime soon and his career might even be in jeopardy.
Poolman played just three games in 2022-23. According to a recent report from Canucks insider Rick Dhaliwal, Poolman will not attend training camp in Vancouver. Dhaliwal also expects that Poolman will begin the 2023-24 season on long-term injured reserve (LTIR).
Poolman has had shoulder surgery and has previous concussion issues in his career. It's the head trauma that continues to plague him. Poolman himself has noted that he continues to suffer horrible migraines. There's still a lot that we don't know about the brain and the long-term effects of head trauma. In that sense, Poolman taking some time away from the game is certainly the right decision.
Dhaliwal revealed that Poolman doesn't want to retire, but his health is a priority for him at the moment. Understandably so. Unfortunately, the reality is that if his condition doesn't improve, he may never play another NHL game.
