Capitals goaltender Henrik Lundqvist out for season with heart condition

"It breaks my heart (literally) to share this news: I will not be joining the Capitals this upcoming season," Lundqvist explained in a video he shared on social media, as noted by an ESPN story. "After many weeks of tests and conversations with specialists around the country, it's been determined that a heart condition will prevent me from taking the ice. Together, we have decided that the risk of playing before remedying my condition is too high. So I will spend the coming months figuring out the best course of action."

Mike Vogel of the Capitals' official website added that it's unlikely Lundqvist will ever play again in the NHL. 

The club addressed the matter via a prepared statement: 

"The Washington Capitals are supportive of Henrik's decision to step away from hockey at this time due to his heart condition. Our players' health is of the utmost importance, and we stand behind Henrik's decision. We want to wish him and his family all the best moving forward."

After spending 15 seasons only with the Rangers, Lundqvist put pen to paper on a one-year contract worth $1.5 million with Washington in October to serve as a backup behind Ilya Samsonov. If Lundqvist has to permanently step away, he will retire a one-time winner of the Vezina Trophy, which is awarded to the league's top goaltender.

He earned that honor for the 2011-12 season and is a five-time finalist for the award.