Perhaps he didn't lose his passion for hockey, perhaps he just didn't want to have to put his body on the line to earn his income. Perhaps he didn't want to mix his passion and his bread earning. Personally i would love to be a professional athlete, but I do have a friend who chose not to become a professional soccer player in favour of studying medicine and working as a cardiologist. Still play soccer with him twice a week, his passion wasn't the problem.
LD Ryan Pilon - Brandon Wheat Kings, WHL (2015, 147th, NYI) -early retirement
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Perhaps he didn't lose his passion for hockey, perhaps he just didn't want to have to put his body on the line to earn his income. Perhaps he didn't want to mix his passion and his bread earning. Personally i would love to be a professional athlete, but I do have a friend who chose not to become a professional soccer player in favour of studying medicine and working as a cardiologist. Still play soccer with him twice a week, his passion wasn't the problem.
CorgisPer60
Barking at the net
All I know is that Pilon had serious motivational issues in his draft season. He has amazing talent, but he wouldn't try hard at all. My roommate's parents are season ticket holders for the Wheaties, and they've documented Kelly McCrimmon trying to get Pilon to work harder or play harder a number of times. Sometimes the passion just flares out. You don't quit loving hockey, though. Perhaps the stress and grind were wearing on him. Life in the WHL isn't that easy.
pure speculation, but sometimes, overcoaching and parents have a role in this.
Jaynki
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- Feb 3, 2014
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Interesting.
We all have the perception that being a professional athlete is the best job eva.
Actually, it is a ****ing commitment of yourself. You dedicate yourself and your life to a sport.
I don't think it is so easy and fun.
In the case of Pilon, maybe he prefer have fun during his early twenties instead of trying to have a career which is totally understandable.
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You dont need to put your body on the line to earn your income. Well to an extent. Hes an offensive dman whose been ahead of the curve vs his peers his whole life. This isnt just a shot in the dark, he has a GOOD chance of becoming an NHL player. He definitely lost his passion for hockey somewhere along the line. Losing your passion for something doesnt mean you quit it right away, it just means you dont want to give it your all.
Sheriff66
Registered User
Being a professional hockey player is a serious health hazard (sp?). All the training routines, the hits, the pucks flying around...you have to accept that you could finish your career with serious health issues. I won't pretend I know anything, because i really don't, I am actually quite new to watching hockey and have never played it seriously, but professional sports is quite a grind in my personal experience.
Jaynki
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SpoolCat
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http://panow.com/article/563854/pilon-finds-peace-after-whl-retirement-playing-senators-cup
Don't know why he couldn't have waited for a few years to see how his pro career would shape up but I guess good for him.
Don't know why he couldn't have waited for a few years to see how his pro career would shape up but I guess good for him.
CorgisPer60
Barking at the net
The Islanders knew the risks, and took the chance. Would you have rather he wasted a few years developing in the WHL and AHL before deciding to hang up the skates? The kid decided to choose a totally legitimate career path, and I have nothing but respect for that. He can now play the game for fun, instead of for money. The grind of the professional hockey career is not for everybody.
IslesNorway
Registered User
Perhaps he was just being lonely and miserable? Playing junior hockey is no holiday and maybe he just didn't fancy continuing in that vein for the next 20 years? Playing professional hockey takes its toll on you physically and mentally, and maybe he simply didn't fancy that.
Zaddy
Registered User
- Feb 8, 2013
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If he already knew that hockey wasn't what he wanted as his career then it would be pointless to continue on that path, even if he would become a pro. You can be wildly successful yet underneath all that be unhappy about your life. Ryan took a brave decision to focus on what he knew in his heart that he wanted to do and I applaud him for that.
I'd love to see a kid like this be able to go from the CHL to the NCAA, it's a shame that wasn't an option for him at that point as he would have the opportunity to potentially pursue both his psych degree and a hockey career without having to choose just one of them until he was done school.
Coaches Coroner
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- Mar 12, 2009
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He's pursuing being a police officer, which is also a health hazard (mental and physical) and I'd hazard a guess to say over ones career it can be even more of a grind than pro sports. It can definitely be more rewarding, but can also be much more stressful. Good for him, still an interesting choice.
Patmac40
BESTPOSTERINTHEGAME
Good for him finding what he wants to do in life and pursuing it. It's not easy to make the kind of decision he made but if that's what makes him happy, all the power to him.
Soups On
Registered User
- Apr 27, 2012
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Yeah I admire his decision. He followed his passion instead of the $ and he won't regret it. Good for him.
I wonder what this guy could have been if he was still "passionate". 51 points in your draft year as a defencemen is already excellent. To have gotten by purely on skill...
King In The North
Sean Bennett
I'm sure we all have the passion to be in the hockey world. Scouts, GMs, what have you. But the grind is something we never think about.
Your life pretty much revolves around you playing. It can certainly be a hardship if you're not one keen on travelling most of the year, waking up and practicing, then going to the gym, then pretty much just waiting for your hockey game, then going to the gym again and then on a plane. (Obviously I'm not doing justice what a day really is like..)
And when you're done the year, sure the time is yours, it's your summer, but be damned if you aren't training, exercising and improving yourself for the next grind.
Oscar Acosta
Registered User
- Mar 19, 2011
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What a loser, wanting to contribute to society in the one life he gets to live instead of slapping a rubber disc around.
rt
Clean Hits on Substack
I'd probably have faked my way to the signing bonus, at least. He's got more character than I do.
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