Pittsburgh Penguins winger Pascal Dupuis’s career is over because of a medical condition related to blood clots, the team announced Tuesday.

Dupuis returned from injury and blood clots this year to play 18 games, but has experienced several recent medical conditions possibly related to his condition, the most recent December 1 against San Jose, the Pens announced.

“Despite playing on a medical protocol that has worked for other players in the NHL, we feel that the risk of Pascal playing with his condition and the side effects of the tests to monitor him are just not in the best interest of his long-term health,” Dr. Dharmesh Vyas, the Penguins’ team physician, said in a team release.

“It was very difficult for me to make this decision to have to step away from the game,” Dupuis said in the team release. “My wife and four children have always been my first priority, and playing with my condition has become a constant worry for all of us. I want to thank my teammates and the Penguins organization for their unwavering support during this difficult time.”

“I feel very badly for Pascal,” Penguins general manager Jim Rutherford said in the team release. “I’ve never seen a man more determined to play and more determined to help his team. Unfortunately, we’ve reached the point where it’s not in the best interest of his health to allow him to do that anymore.”

Dupuis will finish with 190 goals and 409 points in 871 career games split between the Penguins, Atlanta Thrashers, New York Rangers, and Minnesota Wild.

The Penguins will place Dupuis on long-term injured reserve.