• Print

Blue Jackets draft pick Stefan Legein hanging up skates at 19

The Canadian Press

2008-08-20 01:10:00

Stefan Legein, the Columbus Blue Jackets second-round pick in the 2007 NHL entry draft, has decided to quit hockey.

Legein's agent, Doug Woods, informed the Blue Jackets that the 19-year-old right winger will not report to training camp next month and is retiring, according to a report in the Columbus Dispatch. Blue Jackets general manager Scott Howson confirmed the news to the Dispatch late Tuesday night.

Legein, a native of Oakville, Ont., was an all-star with the Niagara IceDogs of the Ontario Hockey League last season, scoring 24 goals and adding 13 assists with 80 penalty minutes in 30 games. He also helped Canada win its fourth straight gold medal at the world junior championship.

COMMENTS (41)

Sort: Oldest | Newest    Filter: All | Videos


Jake Cooper Posted
(2009-04-30 07:36:15)



I attended high school with this "kid" and he has never taken anybody or anything seriously, rather, he would trample on anyone to get what he wants. He always teamed up on the vulnerable, and at that I believe he is more of a jagged edge towards any Hockey Team which places his name on a roster. Cheers to you Stefan Legein
    0



Bob Allisat Posted
(2009-04-30 06:58:13)



Wow - he must really be thrilled at the prospect of playing in Columbus! Retiring at 19! Wouldn't an easier way to instantly ruin a hockey career been to just refuse to report? Or to start bedwetting? Wonder what the real story behind this wierd story actually is? After fighting to make it this far a kid quits. Must be some interesting stuffs going on behind the scenes.
    0



Flyerfan52 Posted
(2009-04-30 06:50:56)



Seb and Desmond, good posts! We don't know why he did it but if he's turning down a lot of money over the next few years, he's probably got a good reason. If he decides to disclose it is up to him. I liked watching him play with the WJs but can't presume to know his life. Newsflash: Money isn't everything.
    0



Desmond McKilligan Posted
(2009-04-30 06:50:54)



Good for him. There are dozens of extremely talented people who chose not to act, sing, play hockey etc even though they could have been in the upper echelon. The average Joe (with no skills) has a hard time getting his head around someone walking away from fame and fortune. I admire this kid. Besides, next year he may get back into it. He is only 19 after all.
    0



Seb Posted
(2009-04-30 06:50:53)



What if Legein played for fun and never wanted to get into pro hockey? but also was lucky enough to have talent and lots of potential... When a 6th-7th round decides to retire at 19-20 nobody cares. But because Legein played in the world juniors and is a second round pick it becomes unthinkable to retire so young. Some say its drugs, some say injuries and others say he's scared cause hes a slacker! Its just speculation. Well just have to wait for him to tell.
    0



T.Roy Posted
(2009-04-30 06:50:49)



The NHL caused him to hang them up. I'm sure Columbus had something to do with it. I'm a die hard Red Wings fan. 4 Cups in 10 playing seasons, but this game is getting outright Bentmann out of shape. What has this idiot done to make this a better game. I've been going to games since the early 70's, when hockey was a real hard nose, in, clutch, grab phyical,in your face game. Then the Great One (ha,ha) came, Mario came, the next One came, and two referees can't do the job one did just fine. Don't get me wrong I enjoy watching Pavel dance and Henrik score those sweet goals. I don't think these are all reasons Legein not playing, but I hope you get my point, because the refs never will.
    0



Gerry Hartman Posted
(2009-04-30 06:50:49)



" HockeyGuy - 2008-08-21 09:19:02 ET And somehow Ken Campbell will make it out to be Dave Branch's fault." Isn't everything Dave Branch's fault? ;) Seriously; I've admired watching Legein as a player both in the OHL and for Team Canada. I personally don't care whether this young man has a serious drug problem, or health issue, or whatever; it isn't for me to decide. He has simply decided he doesn't want to play pro hockey, and that's it. Speculate about the reasons, and ridicule him for throwing away millions (potential salary), all you want. I'm sure we will never know the entire story or the real reason for his decision. It is after all, his life and he is free to choose what he wants to do with it. I'm a fan of the game and quite a few players; but, I would never presume to put myself in their place or speculate on their lives. I've never played Junior A, or Pro hockey and until I read the latest issue of THN, (article on Pat Kane), I really didn't know how lengthy the commitment is for a player to make it to the show. All things considered, I am glad I got to see Stefan Legein play hockey and I wish him well in whatever he decides to do with his life.
    0



One Life to Live Posted
(2009-04-30 06:50:48)



Stefan Legein has a talent that many people would die for in life. I don't know if drugs or any other substance abuse has caused Legein to not want to play the game, but this is sad news. I don't think he is really looking at the big picture here. He will regret this decision down the road let me tell you. I regret a lot of decisions that I made earlier in my life and I am only 20. I've dealt with substance abuse issues and they will try to kill your life. I think Stefan Legein should get good advice before giving up on the possibility of millions of dollars and a shot at the Stanley Cup. Also with all that money Stefan can do a lot of great things outside the game of hockey. God Given Talent should not be wasted!!!!!!!!! Get professional help if you need to turn your life around.
    0



Jason Zimmermann Posted
(2009-04-30 06:50:47)



Like everyone else, I don't know the facts behind Stefan Legien quittying hockey. I'm not a doctor, and I think it's unfair to say he's bi-polar or pin any other medical issue on him. I'm actually going to give the guy credit. If you don't want to play, don't play. There's absolutely no sense in doing something that you don't want to do. To force people into situations doesn't make any sense, either. Alexandre Daigle went through the motions. Yes, he made money out of the deal, but he is the unanimous choice for "biggest bust ever". I'm reading some people suggesting that Legien is the result of a father's vicarious dream. Sure, that's possible, and I am inclined to believe that. Though, I don't know if it's true or not, in Legien's case; I have heard the same thing about Daigle. In closing, if Legien is quitting because he truly doesn't want to play, I have a lot of respect for him. If his Dad is trying to pressure him and his Dad tells him about all the money he's walking away from and Legien still doesn't want to play, I have more respect for Stefan, still. That's standing up and being a man.
    0



justin Posted
(2009-04-30 06:50:47)



most people probably don't take into account that a hockey season goes from october to june or so, i mean like columbus would play much into the post season haha, but still there is the chance the season could last some 8-10 months not including training and conditioning and junior hockey championships and olympics and everything else. For some people it is possible that you just get burnt out playing your whole life then have to dedicate everything to playing for the next 15 years plus. Sometimes people just dont want to do it. they get paid a lot to do a lot. maybe he doesn't need columbus, the stresss, the physical demand, the dedication and so on. does that make him a bad person or bi polar in the least bit.
    0



1 2 3 4 5

ADD YOUR COMMENT

Register or Login to submit a comment
Player/Injury News - Up to the Minute NHL Updates This Week - Subscribe Now

THN Puck Poll

View all

Who should start in goal for Russia at the Olympics?





THN Newsletter - Sign Up Now

SAY WHAT?!?

View all

“I was coming in to take the boards away and had some good jump. He bobbled the puck at the last second and I don’t think he saw me coming at all. It was a shoulder right in his chest. He’s eight feet tall, so it’s not like you could hit him in the head.”

- Ottawa's Chris Neil about a hit he threw on Tampa's Victor Hedman Thursday night, causing Hedman to leave the game.

Our Partners