Steve Konowalchuk, who joined the Avalanche in October 2003, announced his retirement today because of a heart condition.
A news conference was scheduled for this afternoon, but the left wing did not attend camp this season after a pre-camp EKG on Sept. 14 reveal a heart issue. Further tests have revealed he has a genetic condition known as Long Q-T Syndrome, which can lead to irregular heart rhythm, team cardiologist Dr. Steve Friedrich said today.
“As much as I’ll miss the game of hockey and all that it’s provided my family and me, my health was the number one priority,” Konowalchuk said in a statement released by the team this morning.
Friedrich said the 33-year-old Konowalchuk had a series of tests at the University of Rochester’s cardiac center in New York.
Konowalchuk, who spent 12 seasons in the Washington Capitals organization before being traded to the Avs, was on pace for his best season last year with 15 points in 21 games before he missed the final 61 games because of a wrist injury.
He had 19 goals and 39 points in 76 games for the Avs in the 2003-04 season before the lockout canceled the 2004-05 season.
He ends his career with 171 goals and 396 points in 790 games.
