Moose captain Stoykewych calls it a career after double-digit concussions

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This article was published 09/06/2020 (1934 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Peter Stoykewych is a young man with plenty of life to live after hockey.

The most recent captain of the Manitoba Moose says while it wasn’t an easy decision to bid farewell to the game, it was really the only one that made sense for his future well-being.

The 27-year-old Winnipegger, who admitted to reporters he’s likely sustained double-digit concussions in his life, made his retirement official Tuesday, ending a six-year stint with the Jets organization.

Stoykewych, a left-shooting defenceman, played just a dozen games during the 2019-20 American Hockey League season, suffering what would, ultimately, become a career-ending head injury Nov. 24 against the Toronto Marlies.

“It’s always tough. You never think it will happen. When you’re in your low- to mid-20s, as a professional hockey player, you think you’re invincible. You never really think about the day you’re going to retire,” said an emotional Stoykewych, during a video conference. “I was unfortunate to come across a few big injuries in my career and had been able to overcome most of them. This past season, I had a head injury that just kind of bothered me outside of hockey, as well.

“At that point, I took some time to reflect and be re-evaluate, talked to some doctors I’ve trusted for the past five years here… we discussed things, just about life in general, and decided it was time to move on from hockey. I just played a handful of games this season, so I’ve had time to reflect. It’s not an easy decision and the things you’re going to miss most are the things that never happen on the ice. It’s all the stuff in the (locker) room and all the people you meet along the way.”

Stoykewych, 6-3, 200 pounds, who played two seasons for the Winnipeg Blues of the Manitoba Junior Hpockey League and one year with the Des Moines Buccaneers of the USHL before taking the college route, spent his entire 267-game professional career with the Jets organization (Moose and St. John’s IceCaps), recording 19 goals and 53 assists.

He played four seasons at Colorado College (2011-15), and has the distinction of being the last player ever drafted by the Atlanta Thrashers (seventh round, 199th overall) in 2010.

Following his final year of school, Stoykewych signed his first pro contract in 2015 and joined the St. John’s IceCaps. A year later, the Jets’ AHL affiliate moved to the Manitoba capital, and he roomed with would-be all-star NHL goaltender Connor Hellebuyck.

Recovering from head injuries, Stoykewych said, was a fairly common occurrence during his career.

“It’s the side of the game that a lot of people don’t talk about. Obviously, it’s becoming more and more prominent and getting out there into the open. I’ve had a bunch of concussions in my career, there’s no secret about that. It just happens. Most of the time, there’s no intention or any disregard for the head when these injuries occur,” he said. “Just over the course of my career, and growing up, concussions weren’t really acknowledged the same way they are today. I’ve had a bunch diagnosed but I’m sure a few went undiagnosed as well.

“I had a bunch of concussions and was able to recover from them. It was something I was fine with, and you know the risks when you play the game,” added Stoykewych, who finished his MBA last year and eagerly awaits the next chapter of his life. “I feel fine now. It took a while but I do feel fine now, and for me that’s the most important thing and just hope things stay that way.”

Moose head coach Pascal Vincent praised his former captain for making a tough but mature decision on his future.

“At times, you can put yourself in the position where you’re not a guy’s coach, you’re his brother, his father, to put yourself in a different mindset. He and I have had that discussion, and I know this was really hard for him and you could see the emotion in him,” said Vincent. “At the end of the day, it was the right thing for him and I’m very proud of him, for sure.”

Vincent said Stoykewych was a team-first guy, right to the very end.

“The one thing he kept bringing up is he didn’t want to let his teammates down, he didn’t want to let the organization down. I had to remind him, ‘Wait a second, Stoyo… it’s not about team right now, it’s about you. There’s a time in your life where you get to look in the mirror and make the right decision for yourself.

“He’s an amazing person. He understood and still understands the culture of the organization. He understood his role and, because of his work ethic and his ability to connect with people and adjust to different personalities, it made him a great captain. There are guys you just know who are going to be ready every practice, every game, and he was one of them. I would be really proud of his career if he was my son.”

Stoykewych was handed the ‘C’ prior to the 2018-19 campaign, and was a recipient of the Julian Klymkiw Community Service Award for his contributions away from the rink.

“To have that platform, to be able to do good in the community and to give back, and have people come to the rink after a hard day of work and come to enjoy themselves and watch you play, it’s tough to give that up,” said Stoykewych, keenly proud of his Manitoba roots.

“I just feel so fortunate to be able to (play in his hometown). So many professionals play for such a long time and never get to play in front of family and friends. I was always blessed and tried to appreciate it and never take it for granted that my friends could come after they were done work, my parents could come every single day. From being from Winnipeg and appreciating and knowing what the Moose, True North and the Winnipeg Jets mean to the community, I grew up in it and they meant a lot to me growing up as well, so to be a part of that in general was awesome… I’ll always cherish that.”

jason.bell@freepress.mb.ca

Twitter: @WFPJasonBell