Older Brother of Penguins Prospect Retires Due to Genetic Condition

Chaz Lucius has battled injuries and pain for a few seasons. The 2021 first-round pick of the Winnipeg Jets has been fighting to both stay on the ice and progress to the NHL, but those hopes ended Tuesday.

Lucius, whose younger brother Cruz is a Penguins’ prospect playing at Arizona State University, released a statement retiring from professional hockey at age 21 because of a genetic disorder, Ehler-Danlos Syndrome (EDS).

The syndrome attacks the connective tissue that supports the body’s joints and organs. Lucius was advised to immediately end his hockey career.

In three seasons since turning pro from the University of Minnesota in 2022-23, Lucious has played in just 54 games and scored seven goals.

“As I struggled with incurring and recovering from various joint injuries over the past several years, I thought I was just unlucky,” Lucius’s statement read. “With this diagnosis of EDS, I now realize my body impacted by EDS could not handle the physical nature of playing professional hockey. Given this condition, my injury history, and the physical nature of hockey, I have been medically advised not to continue to play.”

Lucius also thanked the Winnipeg Jets organization and his teammates.

Cruz Lucius, who is 11 months younger, plays for ASU. The Penguins acquired Cruz in the Jake Guentzel trade in March 2024. Lucius has 10 points (2-8-10) in 19 games this season.