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by RotoWire Staff | RotoWire
Keith Ballard: Retires from hockey
Keith Ballard (concussion) has officially retired from hockey, Michael Russo of the Star Tribune reports.Ballard's decision comes a year removed from the last of five concussions he suffered while playing in the NHL. The Minnesota product enjoyed a successful NHL career, playing over 600 games and making a trip to the Stanley Cup Final in 2011. Ballard has been added to the list of players who have decided to cut their careers short due to fear of the long-term effects of repeated head injuries. Ballard has returned to the University of Minnesota as a full-time student and is on track to earn his degree in sports management next spring.
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by RotoWire Staff | RotoWire
Wild's Ballard Still Suffering From Concussion
Ballard said during Monday's media availability that he is still experiencing the effects of a concussion suffered Dec. 9, Michael Russo of the Minneapolis Star Tribune reports.
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by RotoWire Staff | RotoWire
Wild's Ballard: Career Remains In Peril
Ballard (concussion) appears unlikely to play again this season, Michael Russo of the Minneapolis Star Tribune reports.Ballard has been on the ice in recent weeks, but hasn't been able to increase the intensity of his workouts without concussion symptoms surfacing. The 32-year-old blueliner will be a free agent in the offseason and doesn't figure to draw much interest due to the uncertainty that he'll be able to play again.
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by RotoWire Staff | RotoWire
Wild's Ballard (Concussion) Skates Sunday
Ballard (concussion) skated with the team Sunday.Ballard's return to the ice may be the first since suffering the concussion in December. At one point the blueliner was considering retirement, but it appears he will give it another go as he begins the process towards returning to the lineup.
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by RotoWire Staff | RotoWire
WIld's Ballard Considering Retirement
Ballard is still experiencing concussion symptoms and is weighing retirement, the St. Paul Pioneer Press reports. "But knowing what we know about concussions, I have to think about the long term," Ballard said.Ballard suffered a concussion and multiple facial fractures after taking a hit to the boards on Dec. 9. It was his third concussion in 14 months and fifth in five years and he was convulsing on the ice afterwards. It doesn't sound like he'll return this season and his career may be over.
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by RotoWire Staff | RotoWire
Wild Place Ballard On IR
The Wild placed Ballard (concussion) on IR, Michael Russo of the Minneapolis Star Tribune reports.Ballard is still considered out indefinitely, so the move to IR will open up a roster spot for the team to work with while he's out.
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by RotoWire Staff | RotoWire
Wild's Ballard Out Indefinitely
Ballard is dealing with a concussion and multiple facial fractures and is considered out indefinitely, Chad Graff of the St. Paul Pioneer Press reports.
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by RotoWire Staff | RotoWire
Wild's Ballard Taken to Hospital After Big Hit
Ballard was taken to an area hospital after a tough hit from the Islanders' Matt Martin midway through the second period Tuesday that appeared to briefly knock him out, NHL.com reports.Ballard was driven hard into the boards by Martin and stayed on the ice for some time. A stretcher was brought out, but Ballard skated off under his own power. The team reported that Ballard was conscious at the hospital.
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by RotoWire Staff | RotoWire
Wild Activate Ballard
Ballard (illness) has been activated from injured reserve.With the debilitating illness that sidelined him for three weeks now behind him, Ballard will make his return to the lineup Saturday against the Canadiens. He's expected to skate with Matt Dumba, with Nate Prosser heading to the press box as a healthy scratch.
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by RotoWire Staff | RotoWire
Wild's Ballard (Illness) Should Return Saturday
Ballard (illness) is expected to return Saturday against the Canadiens, Michael Russo of the Minneapolis Star Tribune reports.Ballard has been sidelined since Oct. 23 with an unknown illness that required him to take a stint on the disabled list. He practiced Monday and appears to be returned to full health.