Former Vancouver Canucks Prospect Suddenly Retires from Hockey at 28-Years-Old… But Why?

A former Vancouver Canucks prospect is reportedly hanging up the skates at the age of 28.

The Vancouver Canucks have seen a number of prospects over the years leave North America behind in search of a new opportunity in Europe or the KHL, including Vitali Kravtsov for example, who's having a career-year in Russia.

One of those prospects that left the Vancouver Canucks organization in the last five years has decided that now is the time to retire from professional hockey.

Former Vancouver Canucks prospect Francis Perron reportedly retires

In a post on Facebook on Tuesday, French club Rouen Dragons announced that Francis Perron has decided to retire from professional hockey at the age of 28 following two seasons with the club.

Note: the following was translated from French by DeepL.

'Thank you, Francis Perron! ⚫

Two seasons in our colors, 93 games played, 100 points scored (31 goals, 69 assists), a French championship title in 2024 and a key role in the playoffs as points leader.⭐

Today, Francis Perron brings his career to an end, and it is with immense gratitude that we thank him for his commitment and talent on the ice

Thank you for the memories, Francis. Île Lacroix will always remain your home! ' Rouen Dragons said.

Perron, a native of Laval, Quebec, was selected in the seventh round, 190th overall by the Ottawa Senators in the 2014 NHL Entry Draft.

Four years after he was drafted, Perron was part of the Erik Karlsson trade with San Jose, which saw him land with the Sharks organization for the 2018-19 season.

After one season with the San Jose Sharks organization, Perron was traded to the Vancouver Canucks in exchange for Tom Pyatt and a draft pick, with the club then signing him to a one-year, two-way contract for 2019-20.

In his lone season with the Canucks organization at the age of 23, Perron appeared in 42 games for the AHL's Utica Comets, registering 18 points (six goals, 12 assists), 24 penalty minutes and was a minus-four.

After one season in Vancouver, Perron headed to Europe where he spent two seasons with Bjorkloven IK in HockeyAllsvenskan, one year with Sierre HC in the Swiss second division and his final two seasons in France with the Rouen Dragons, helping the latter to a league championship in 2024.