Battalion forward retiring from hockey

North Bay Battalion forward Luke Burghardt is retiring from hockey.

Coach Stan Butler says he’s taking the step for health reasons.

“He’s got problems with his spine. He’s going to see another doctor but as of now it wouldn’t be wise for him to play and it could jeopardize his long term health,” he says.

Burghardt played 3 full seasons in the OHL and part of a 4th with Guelph and North Bay.

In his only season with the Battalion he scored 28 goals and added 43 assists for 71 points.

Butler says the issue first came up at an NHL prospects camp and wasn’t cleared to play.

Butler says the player and the agent indicated he was undergoing tests.

Butler says then on Thursday the bad news came via Instagram.
He says Burghardt’s contributions will be missed.

“What he did last year he never had accomplished before. He was extremely comfortable here. The line of Burghardt, Justin Brazeau and Matthew Struthers was an outstanding line for us and gave us a top line,” he says.

Burghardt is the 2nd player for the Battalion to retire in recent seasons.

Zach Bratina retired due to concussion related issues in the 2015-2016 campaign.