Brain injuries have forced Nolan Patrick's unfortunate announcement

This will go down as one of the more unfortunate career trajectories that began with so much promise. 

Former Round 1 pick Nolan Patrick, who was taken with the 2nd overall selection in the 2017 National Hockey League Draft by the Philadelphia Flyers, has announced his retirement from professional hockey thanks to his multiple issues with concussions. 

The especially unfortunate aspect about his hockey career ending is that he's only 25 years of age, right around the time that players begin to hit their strides. 

In a total of 194 games spent with the Philadelphia Flyers, Patrick scored a total of 30 goals to go with 40 assists. Eventually, he'd agree to a two-year contract with the Vegas Golden Knights, and lasted a total of only 25 games before additional concussion issues forced him from action. 

He didn't suit up during the 2022-23 season as his Golden Knights teammates eventually won the first Stanley Cup in franchise history; he also didn't get his name on the hallowed trophy thanks to having not appeared in any regular season or postseason games. The good news is that he did get a Stanley Cup ring from the team, however. 

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