Nebraska-Omaha senior Allan Carr, with the team from its infancy in Division I, has been forced to retire after suffering his third concussion this season. Carr made the announcement to his teammates at practice on Wednesday.
Carr, 23, has anchored the top line this season with wingers David Brisson and Jeff Hoggan. He had five goals and 10 points in 12 games this year, and 25 goals and 64 points in 79 career games.
Carr’s first concussion came in an Oct. 14 game against Boston College. The next week, he was knocked unconscious by a hit in a game with Michigan State, and didn’t return for close to a month. Then, on Jan. 13, Carr took a hit along the end boards from Bowling Green’s Louis Mass, and hasn’t played since.
The decision, which has become more prominent in hockey in recent years, was made after Carr’s latest consultation with doctors, earlier this week. According to a report in the Omaha World-Herald Carr’s speech is still slurred, and doctors say the motor skills on his right side are reduced. Doctors expect a full recovery, but any more playing could lead to permanent damage.
“When you have someone who loves the game and giving it all with a good group like this, it’s tough to walk away from,” Carr said to the World-Herald. “With the expectations we have this year, it’s even tougher.”
Said UNO coach Mike Kemp, “You lose a player of his magnitude, it’s a blow to the program. It’s a sad day to see one of your real leaders end a career. He deserves a far better fate.”
Kemp has asked Carr to remain with the program as a “player motivator.”
“I love to come to the rink, and I want to see if I can make it more enjoyable for the guys, whether it’s talking to them, helping them out or giving them some tips,” Carr said to the World-Herald. “I want to help this team in every facet possible, except playing.”
