Ryane Clowe Retires: Latest Details, Comments and Reaction

As a result of multiple concussions suffered throughout his career, Ryane Clowe has officially retired from professional hockey.

"I tried to work my way back," Clowe said Friday, per a statement from the New Jersey Devils. "It just didn't work out and I wasn't able to play again. It's just not possible and it won't be possible moving forward."

Over the last two years, Clowe played in just 56 regular-season games, and his last game was Nov. 6, 2014, against the St. Louis Blues. He suffered a concussion in that game—his third diagnosed concussion in the space of two seasons.   

Hockey writer Chris Wassel highlighted the biggest potential concern going forward for the 32-year-old:

Clowe's retirement comes as little surprise. Devils general manager Ray Shero told Tom Gulitti of the Record in Bergen County, New Jersey, on Friday that doctors told Clowe he would be unable to make a return to the NHL.

"Based on the recommendation of doctors and the latest incident on Nov. 6 and the result of the injuries and the concussions, he's going to be unable to play hockey now or hockey in the future," Shero said. "Certainly, it's an emotional time for him having gone through this and today, but it was pretty apparent as we head to next week with training camp and the doctor's recommendations that he's unable to play again."

Clowe played in 561 career NHL games, including the postseason, picking up 130 goals and 225 assists. The 271 points he accumulated with the San Jose Sharks rank 10th in franchise history, per Hockey-Reference.com.

In the statement released by the Devils, Shero announced that the team will pay out the remaining three years on Clowe's contract.