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Isles prospect Pilon ‘has lost his passion to play’

2015 NHL Draft - Portraits

Ryan Pilon

NHLI via Getty Images

At the age of 18, defenseman Ryan Pilon has decided to leave the WHL’s Brandon Wheat Kings.

“Ryan came to me this week and told me that at this time he has lost his passion to play hockey and will be leaving the team,” Brandon coach and GM Kelly McCrimmon said, according to Sportsnet.

Pilon had 11 goals, 40 assists, and 40 penalty minutes in 68 WHL games last season. He was selected by the New York Islanders with the 147th overall pick in the 2015 NHL Entry Draft. That pick was well traveled as it originally belonged to the Montreal Canadiens, but was dealt to the Florida Panthers in 2014 in exchange for Mike Weaver. The Panthers later traded it to the Islanders in exchange for a 2016 fifth round selection.

NHL Central Scouting’s John Williams described Pilon as a smart player that was particularly good when it came to puck management, per NHL.com.

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