Penn State's Mike Williamson ends hockey career due to injuries

Penn State junior defenseman Mike Williamson has made the decision to end his hockey career due to chronic injuries.

"Unfortunately and sadly, Mike Williamson informed us that, due to his health, he will not play hockey anymore." Penn State head coach Guy Gadowsky told reporters during his weekly press conference Tuesday. "He's been struggling with injuries for over a year now and the episodes get worse and worse. After talking with his family and the physicians he's come up with this decision.

"It's unfortunate because the guys on the team love him. He's an extremely popular player in the locker room. I think the whole team is really sad to hear this news. He will remain a part of us doing whatever he can. He's hungry to do that. He loves Penn State and is staying here to get his degree and help the program."

Williamson, who finishes with 9 points (3G-6A) in 49 career games with the Nittany Lions (15-4-3, 5-1-0-0 Big Ten), last played December 28th against Robert Morris and has been out since with an upper body injury. Prior to that he missed six weeks . A 2013 sixth round draft pick of the Vancouver Canucks, the 6'4", 209 lbs Leduc, Alberta native was the second-ever PSU player to be drafted by an NHL team.

He will remain enrolled at the university, the team said.

Williamson is the second Penn State player in less than a year whose career was cut short due to injuries following forward Jonathan Milley.