The Vegas Golden Knights defenceman confirmed in a statement released by the team that he is stepping back from professional hockey for the time being.
“After exploring options with doctors as well as my family, it’s been advised to remove the intensity of hockey to see if my body can improve so that I can return to a normal quality of life,” Pietrangelo wrote. “The likelihood is low that my body will recover to the standard required to play, but I know this is the right decision.
Pietrangelo, 35, played 71 regular-season games for the Golden Knights last season and 10 playoff games, and averaged 22:24 and 23:03 time on ice, respectively.
The King City, Ont. native was tapped by Team Canada to participate in the 4 Nations Face-Off in February but pulled out, citing ongoing injury concerns.
