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Michigan-born NHL veteran Torey Krug set to retire due to devastating diagnosis
Michigan-born NHL defenseman Torey Krug isn't expected to lace up his skates for another NHL game ever again following a somber announcement from St. Louis Blues general manager Doug Armstrong.
Krug was always doubted due to his size (5-foot-9, 186 pounds) which led to him being undrafted. But he quickly proved doubters wrong after a strong showing in the 2013 Stanley Cup Playoffs with the Boston Bruins, and became a core member of their organization.
The 34-year-old defenseman was born in Livonia, Michigan, and enrolled at Michigan State University before beginning his NHL career.
He missed the 2024-25 season due to an ankle injury which required surgery, and now general manager Doug Armstrong delivered a heartbreaking statement to the media today.
Torey Krug to retire at age 34
"I'm not expecting him to play again," Armstrong said Tuesday. "Now, he's hoping that I'm wrong, I'm hoping that I'm wrong and he's pushing, but the surgery that he had, it was very, very invasive."
Krug was diagnosed with pre-arthritic changes in his left ankle, and the Blues worked hard to help with the rehabilitation process of the injury through nonsurgical processes.
The injury is in result of a bone fracture sustained during his time with the Boston Bruins
"I don't really think there's much uncertainty with Torey," Armstrong said. "I talked to him. He was at the rink the other day. He's just getting almost normal, day-to-day living with his leg, his ankle."
On Sept. 4 during training camp, Krug addressed his devastating injury and the emotional impact it's having on him.
"Thirty-three years old and when you miss a whole year of hockey, obviously those things cross your mind," he said at the time. "I don't want to look too far ahead, but those are things you definitely think about. I've always wanted to see my kids watch me play and see how hard I work. I don't think, regardless of what you're doing, they're going to see, even if it's away from the rink, how hard I work, being a parent, working on the house, doing stuff in the yard, they're going to see that. I just think it's in your DNA. It's tough, but the mental side of it's just going to be just as tough as the physical side."
Krug last played on April 10th against the Chicago Blackhawks where he tallied a goal in a 5-2 win, which will mark his final NHL game.
"You want to win a Stanley Cup," Krug said. "I've had a chance to compete for ... I went to two Finals, and you make the playoffs so many times and you understand what comes with the job, all the injuries. There's other things that obviously come into play that I can make a living for a family and set up your kids. You don't want to trade that. A lot of great memories for sure."
Best of luck moving forward, Kruger!
Previously on Detroit Hockey Insider
| POLL | ||
MAI 6 | 64 ANSWERS Michigan-born NHL veteran Torey Krug set to retire due to devastating diagnosis Do you think St. Louis Blues defenseman Torey Krug will take on a job in hockey following his early retirement? | ||
| Yes | 52 | 81.3 % |
| No | 12 | 18.8 % |
| List of polls | ||