Battalion Head Coach Stan Butler confirmed Tuesday afternoon that forward Zach Bratina is retiring from hockey due to his ongoing concussion like symptoms.
"Firstly, Zach Bratina has retired from hockey, he’s got concussion like symptoms again and went to see the doctor in Toronto and the family has made a decision that he is going to retire from hockey at this time," stated Butler during a Tuesday media conference at Memorial Gardens.
Bratina sustained an injury in a recent road game to Mississauga on October 25th.
The Lindsay, Ontario product got off to a sizzling start with 12 goals and 3 assists for 15 points in the 12 games prior to the injury. He was selected to play for Team OHL in the upcoming Subway Series against Team Russia.
"It’s tough for Zach to make this decision based on the year that he’s had but as we’ve talked earlier about Gomes, I think you have to make tough decisions that are the best for you long term so Zach has gone home and he’s going to finish off his university courses and then head off to university and become a full-time student in the fall."
Butler says its tough to deal with situations like this, on and off the ice.
"You develop good relationships with these kids, like you are a second father to them, you probably spend more time with them than their parents do, you are with them every day," he said.
"You know Zach and I, we had some challenges last year and we worked through them and he finally got clearance to play last year and he went out and played."
Bratina told Battalionhockey.com that he's been experiencing concussion symptoms for the past two years.
"This decision is the hardest decision I’ve made throughout my life so far, but after seeing my neurologist in Toronto I was aware that I could not keep playing," Bratina said on Battalionhockey.com
"I’d like to thank the city of North Bay and the fans for being so supportive, and I also couldn’t be more thankful to the coaching staff in North Bay, and for my teammates that helped me get through a lot of this.”
Bratina joined the Troops in December of 2013 when he was acquired in exchange for Blake Clarke in a deal with the Saginaw Spirit.
He attended the Leafs training camp in the fall of 2014 and this fall he was a free agent invite to the New York Rangers camp.
"I was pretty proud of him this year, he was off to a great start and won CHL player of the week, got named to the Subway Series, and had numerous NHL teams very interested in his services and for this to happen you know is unfortunate."
More injuries
Add Brett Hargrave to the Battalion injury list. He is out indefinitely suffering from concussion-like symptoms.
Meantime Austin Kosack's rights have been sent to the QMJHL's Moncton Wildcats.
Both David Sherman and Jake Smith are both going through tests to ensure they both can be back full-time into the lineup.
There is good news on the Kyle Wood front as Butler is targeting November 18th as the return date for his big defenceman. Meantime, Brady Lyle, who has been out since the pre-season with a shoulder injury, is expected to return on December 1st.
