Veteran Main Leaves Kelowna for Health Reasons

Press Release

The Kelowna Rockets announce that 20-year-old player Spencer Main has decided to step away from the team and the Western Hockey League due to recurring symptoms from a previous concussion.

Main suffered a concussion early in the 2011-12 WHL season and sat out the Rockets final 60 games. In the off-season he was medically cleared to work out and return to the ice but his symptoms returned after participating in games at Rockets training camp.

“I did everything possible to make sure I was ready and prepared for the season,” said Main.” But nothing can get you ready for game contact and that’s when my symptoms returned. I have to put my health first and I need to be 100 per cent before I can think about coming back.”

Rockets president and general manager Bruce Hamilton says the team will miss Main’s leadership and character but added the most important thing is Spencer’s health.

“It’s a big loss for our organization but we’re going to do what is in the best interest of Spencer Main,” said Hamilton. “The best thing for him now is to step away from the game and try to get healthy.”

Main spent his entire four year WHL career with the Rockets. After being selected in the second round of the WHL bantam draft in 2007, he joined the Rockets in the 2008-09 season and was with the club as it played in the 2009 Memorial Cup.

A North Vancouver native, he played in 197 career regular season games and a further 34 playoff games with the Rockets.

Main says he was excited to come back for his fifth season with the Rockets but feels taking a break is the best thing.

“It’s tough knowing that I can’t play right now,” he said. “It’s difficult knowing that I am getting symptoms but at this point I have to put my heath first. I’d like to thank the Rockets organization and medical staff for their tremendous support during the past year.”

(Nathan can be reached at nathanfournier@mainehockeyjournal.com)