Spitfires player calls it quits after concussion

Tyler Nother is walking away from the Windsor Spitfires and the game of hockey.

The Ontario Hockey League club announced Wednesday the 19-year-old has left the sport.

Nother suffered a concussion in the Spitfires’ final exhibition game against the Sarnia Sting on Sept. 16 and has not played since.

“He got a head injury in an exhibition game and has gone through all the process needed to go through,” said agent Mark Guy of Newport Sports Management Inc., who represents Nother.

“At this stage, it’s everybody’s opinion that he’s at significant risk if he comes back and plays. The concussion he suffered is one that, if he continued to play, he’d be at risk for long-term damage.”

In a statement released through the team, Nother thanked the organization, his teammates and fans for their support.

“I have enjoyed my time in the Ontario Hockey League tremendously, especially having the opportunity to raise the Memorial Cup over my head with my teammates back in May,” Nother said.

“The entire organization has been nothing but first class and I will miss everyone dearly.”

Guy said Nother plans to “move on to university and start his life in a different direction.”

The six-foot-four, 195-pound Nother scored a goal and 19 assists in 155 games in his OHL career, with Windsor and the London Knights.

“Tyler is a bright kid with lots of ambition,” Spitfires general manager Warren Rychel said in a statement. “Hockey is just one part of his life.

“As much as we will miss him on and off the ice, he’s made peace with the determination and we fully support (him) and his family for making it.”