Ballard (concussion) has officially retired from hockey, Michael Russo of the Star Tribune reports.

EDGE Analysis

Ballard's decision comes a year removed from the last of five concussions he suffered while playing in the NHL. The Minnesota product enjoyed a successful NHL career, playing over 600 games and making a trip to the Stanley Cup Final in 2011. Ballard has been added to the list of players who have decided to cut their careers short due to fear of the long-term effects of repeated head injuries. Ballard has returned to the University of Minnesota as a full-time student and is on track to earn his degree in sports management next spring.

Ballard (concussion) confirmed last week that he's leaning toward retirement, Michael Russo of the Minneapolis Star Tribune reports.

EDGE Analysis

Ballard is still experiencing concussion symptoms from the head injury he suffered Dec. 9 of last season, and it sounds like he's leaning toward hanging up his skates rather than risking permanent health issues. The 32-year-old had previously experienced several concussions during his NHL career, likely leaving many teams disinterested in Ballard's services even if he opts to keep playing.

Ballard said during Monday's media availability that he is still experiencing the effects of a concussion suffered Dec. 9, Michael Russo of the Minneapolis Star Tribune reports. Ballard will become an unrestricted free agent this summer and could be headed for retirement for health reasons, as he's been diagnosed with five concussions in the last five years alone. At 32 years old, Ballard isn't completely over the hill, but his lengthy history of head injuries probably ensures that he'll receive limited interest from other clubs.

Ballard (concussion) appears unlikely to play again this season, Michael Russo of the Minneapolis Star Tribune reports. Ballard has been on the ice in recent weeks, but hasn't been able to increase the intensity of his workouts without concussion symptoms surfacing. The 32-year-old blueliner will be a free agent in the offseason and doesn't figure to draw much interest due to the uncertainty that he'll be able to play again.

Ballard (concussion) skated with the team Sunday.Ballard's return to the ice may be the first since suffering the concussion in December. At one point the blueliner was considering retirement, but it appears he will give it another go as he begins the process towards returning to the lineup.

Ballard is still experiencing concussion symptoms and is weighing retirement, the St. Paul Pioneer Press reports. "But knowing what we know about concussions, I have to think about the long term," Ballard said. Ballard suffered a concussion and multiple facial fractures after taking a hit to the boards on Dec. 9. It was his third concussion in 14 months and fifth in five years and he was convulsing on the ice afterwards. It doesn't sound like he'll return this season and his career may be over.

The Wild placed Ballard (concussion) on IR, Michael Russo of the Minneapolis Star Tribune reports. Ballard is still considered out indefinitely, so the move to IR will open up a roster spot for the team to work with while he's out.

Ballard is dealing with a concussion and multiple facial fractures and is considered out indefinitely, Chad Graff of the St. Paul Pioneer Press reports. The defenseman was released from the hospital Wednesday after he took a hard hit into the boards from the Isles' Matt Martin a night earlier. It's good to see that Ballard is now resting comfortably back at home, but it sounds like he'll be forced out of the lineup for multiple games due to the injuries he suffered. Opportunity knocks for Christian Folin to claim his spot on the Wild's third pairing.

Ballard was taken to an area hospital after a tough hit from the Islanders' Matt Martin midway through the second period Tuesday that appeared to briefly knock him out, NHL.com reports. Ballard was driven hard into the boards by Martin and stayed on the ice for some time. A stretcher was brought out, but Ballard skated off under his own power. The team reported that Ballard was conscious at the hospital.

Ballard (illness) has been activated from injured reserve. With the debilitating illness that sidelined him for three weeks now behind him, Ballard will make his return to the lineup Saturday against the Canadiens. He's expected to skate with Matt Dumba, with Nate Prosser heading to the press box as a healthy scratch.