NHL defender Slater Koekkoek, who most recently played for the Edmonton Oilers and Chicago Blackhawks, has spoken out about his decision to retire from the game.
The former resident of Winchester, Ontario, claimed that his significant anxiety contributed to his weight problems and his inability to eat.
He continued by stating that this problem has existed for a long time prior to the start of his NHL career. He would frequently hear from several coaches and general managers that he needed to gain weight in order to be able to fight in the corners and get the puck out. It takes a lot of guts for someone to share their concern with the public while also realizing that they needed to take action to protect their physical and mental wellbeing.
When he last signed with the NHL, Koekkoek was 6'2" and weighed 193 pounds. He played 186 games, notched eight goals and 26 assists for 34 points, and accrued 104 penalty minutes. He was chosen by the Tampa Bay Lightning in the first round, number 10, at the 2012 NHL Draft.
