Eddie Lack is taking a break from the NHL.
The 31-year-old UFA netminder, who suffered a season-ending hip injury last December in the minor leagues, announced Wednesday on Twitter that he won't be signing with a team heading into next season and will instead focus on his health.
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While's he rehabbing, he will serve as the goalie coach at Arizona State University. The Sun Devils play in the ACHA and last reached the Frozen Four in 2015.
Update on my career. Thank you pic.twitter.com/n9piLTDLun
— Eddie Lack🇸🇪 (@eddielack) August 14, 2019
"My body won't allow me to play professional hockey at this time," Lack wrote in his announcement. "I still have ways ahead of me in PT (physical therapy) regarding my hips . . . I've been playing through hip pain the last six years, and with PT now I need to make sure I give myself the preparations I need to play at an NHL level again."
Lack first suffered a hip injury in the 2012-13 season (hip flexor) when he was still a Vancouver Canucks prospect. He elected not to play through it, and he opted for season-ending surgery in January 2013. He was out for six months.
In December 2018, he suffered a torn labrum in his left hip while playing for the New Jersey Devils' AHL affiliate, the Binghamton Devils. That injury also required surgery. He hasn't played since.
Lack last played in the NHL in 2017-18, splitting eight games between the Calgary Flames and the Devils.
The Sweden native has played in 144 career NHL games, going 56-55-18 with a 2.62 GAA and .909 save percentage.