Ryan Geris has been playing competitive hockey for about the last 20 years, but that all ended this week when the University of Minnesota Duluth sophomore defenseman hung up the skates for the last time due to the lingering effects of past concussions.

\"When I met with the doctors, I pretty much expected that they were going to advise me to quit playing hockey,\" said Geris. \"But even though I kind of knew what was coming, it still hit me real hard when I actually heard it. Hockey has been such a big part of life and now to have it suddenly taken away isn't something which is easy to digest. Yet, I am thankful for having the wisdom to know that in the long run, this is the right thing to do.\"

Geris joined the Bulldogs in 2002-03 and proceeded to rack up four goals and seven assists for 11 points while skating in 40 of possible 42 games as a freshman. The following year he took part in just seven games before incurring a season-ending concussion against Bemidji State University on Nov. 15. Although Geris was subsequently granted an extra year of eligibility as a medical redshirt, he made only six appearances (his last coming on Oct. 30) this season because of concussion-related problems.

Geris, a native of Alexandria, Minn., says he plans on staying at UMD to complete his degree in business as well as assist the coaching staff at Bulldog practices.

\"Unfortunately, hockey is no different than anything else in life -- sometimes the breaks just don't go your way and you have to deal with it,\" said UMD head coach Scott Sandelin. \"I know this has been extremely difficult for Ryan because how much he loved hockey and how much playing the sport meant to him.\"

The loss of Geris leaves the 2004-05 Bulldogs with just seven defensemen.