Providence junior forward Garrett Gamez has announced that he will no longer play hockey due to ongoing health concerns.
Gamez will join the men’s hockey staff this upcoming season as a student assistant coach.
“After speaking with the doctors, we have come to the conclusion that playing hockey would require risks to my health that I am not willing to take,” Gamez said in a statement. “I can’t explain how hard this decision was to make. With that being said, I can’t thank my family, friends, teammates and coaches enough for all the support they have given me through this tough time.”
Here is @ggamez13‘s full statement: pic.twitter.com/WzO9IjYgPQ
— PC Men’s Hockey (@FriarsHockey) August 22, 2017
Gamez collapsed on the bench during the first period in Game 2 of the Hockey East quarterfinals at Notre Dame on March 11 and missed the remainder of the season.
He appeared in 57 games for the Friars from 2015 to 2017, posting eight goals and eight assists over that span. Three of Gamez’s eight career goals were game-winners, including an overtime goal in the Friars’ 2-1 win over UMass on Feb. 25 of last season.
“Garrett’s health and well-being go beyond hockey and we completely support his decision,” added Friars coach Nate Leaman said. “Not only is Garrett a terrific hockey player, he is an even better person and someone who truly embodies the spirit of a Providence College student-athlete. We are fortunate that he will be around the program to assist on a daily basis.”
