Stefan Legein Retires...at 19

Stefan Legein is a little-known prospect in the Columbus Blue Jackets system. I'll even admit I've never heard of him, except for the mock interview he did with John Tavares. Well apparently he has had enough of hockey, according to several sources. Both Puck Daddy and Eric picked up on a post by Columbus Dispatch reporter Aaron Portzline. According to Aaron, he received an e-mail from Jackets blogger Bethany Porter at Bethany's Hockey Rants. It was actually forwarded, as she received the anonymous e-mail with the initial news that Legein was done.

Now this was initially to be taken two different ways.

First, Stefan is really done. He has lost his desire to play, and he's simply had enough. It's a tough thing to wrap your head around, but is completely understandable. The kids that are destined for the NHL have most likely been playing non-stop since they were around 6. They go to camps and selects tryouts and join travel teams. It's fine when you love the game, but I can see how some kids could tire of it.

Secondly, you can see Legein as a big jokester. As Puck Daddy puts it, "we knew him best as the guy with an athletic tape mustache interviewing John Tavares." As Eric notes;

There may be other reasons to hedge our bets. The blog Two-Line Pass chimed in with some helpful reminders about just what sort of kid Legein really is:

Legein is famous for his pranks. Sportsnet ran a story stating he once tricked a rookie into thinking he had been traded, is known for putting shaving cream under the door handles of teammates' cars, and the CBC has called him "Team Canada's original prankster."

...TLP makes some interesting points: The original report did come from an anonymous tipster, and you'd figure that a 19-year old kid would have consulted his parents before making such a life-changing decision. Then again, the team's general manager confirmed the report, something you'd think he wouldn't do lightly. If this is a prank as TLP has considered, I can't imagine the team, his parents or his agent will be terribly happy with him.

Following events as they have unfolded suggests that Legein may very well be done. According to Portzline, Legein's parents are saying he hasn't quit anything yet, while his agent is saying otherwise.

This will certainly be an interesting story to follow as it continues to unfold, as it most certainly will. In a relatively light summer news-wise for hockey, Legein's situation will be closely scrutinized and reported on. It is unfortunate, as he will undoubtedly have to deal with that added scrutiny for such an important personal decision. As THN's Adam Proteau puts it;

Who among us hasn’t had doubts in our late teens (or for that matter, well beyond that age) about our direction in life? Legein’s biggest problem is he has been in a line of work that receives so much publicity and adulation most casual observers assume he should be down on his hands and knees in gratitude for the opportunities he’s been afforded.

That attitude has some degree of validity. At the same time, though, nobody knows what led this kid to his decision.

So until we find out the whole story, the real story, let's step back and give the kid room to breathe, and to think.

Joe Dumas 01:09 PM

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