Girard decides to retire
Wednesday, 11.30.2005 / 12:00 AM
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Boston Bruins
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Boston Bruins defenseman Jonathan Girard has informed the team that he is retiring from pro hockey, it was announced today by Bruins General Manager Mike O'Connell.
Girard was attempting a comeback this season after missing the last two years rehabilitating from serious injuries suffered in a July 24, 2003 car accident in Quebec.
"We were hoping that Jonathan would be successful in his comeback attempt, but his doctors have advised him that he is not physically able to compete at the level of professional hockey," said O'Connell. "The hard work and determination that he has shown over the past two seasons gearing toward training camp this year was truly an inspiration to all of us associated with the team. He is a courageous young man and we are thankful that, although he is unable to resume his hockey career, he has recovered from his injuries.”
Girard, 25, was Boston’s first pick (second round), 48th overall, in the 1998 NHL Entry Draft. He played four seasons of junior hockey in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League with Laval, Acadie-Bathurst and Moncton with 50 goals and 153 assists for 203 points and 153 penalty minutes in 179 career junior games. He split his first two pro seasons between Boston and his junior team and his next two between Boston and their American Hockey League affiliate in Providence.
The 5’11”, 201 native of Rawdon, Quebec played his first full NHL season in 2002-03, scoring six goals and 16 assists for 22 points with 21 penalty minutes in 73 games. He suffered serious injuries during the 2003 off-season in a July 24, 2003 car accident and spent the next two years rehabilitating from those injuries in an effort to return to his hockey career. Girard attended Boston’s training camp in September, 2005 and played in four pre-season games with the Bruins before his September 29th assignment to the AHL Providence Bruins. He played one game in Providence this season, a 5-2 win in Portland on October 15, before returning to Quebec to consult with his doctors.
Girard’s career NHL totals are ten goals and 34 assists for 44 points with 46 penalty minutes in 150 career NHL games.
Girard was attempting a comeback this season after missing the last two years rehabilitating from serious injuries suffered in a July 24, 2003 car accident in Quebec.
"We were hoping that Jonathan would be successful in his comeback attempt, but his doctors have advised him that he is not physically able to compete at the level of professional hockey," said O'Connell. "The hard work and determination that he has shown over the past two seasons gearing toward training camp this year was truly an inspiration to all of us associated with the team. He is a courageous young man and we are thankful that, although he is unable to resume his hockey career, he has recovered from his injuries.”
Girard, 25, was Boston’s first pick (second round), 48th overall, in the 1998 NHL Entry Draft. He played four seasons of junior hockey in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League with Laval, Acadie-Bathurst and Moncton with 50 goals and 153 assists for 203 points and 153 penalty minutes in 179 career junior games. He split his first two pro seasons between Boston and his junior team and his next two between Boston and their American Hockey League affiliate in Providence.
The 5’11”, 201 native of Rawdon, Quebec played his first full NHL season in 2002-03, scoring six goals and 16 assists for 22 points with 21 penalty minutes in 73 games. He suffered serious injuries during the 2003 off-season in a July 24, 2003 car accident and spent the next two years rehabilitating from those injuries in an effort to return to his hockey career. Girard attended Boston’s training camp in September, 2005 and played in four pre-season games with the Bruins before his September 29th assignment to the AHL Providence Bruins. He played one game in Providence this season, a 5-2 win in Portland on October 15, before returning to Quebec to consult with his doctors.
Girard’s career NHL totals are ten goals and 34 assists for 44 points with 46 penalty minutes in 150 career NHL games.
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