Glad the Blues didn't end up taking him. He was a player I liked heading into the draft.

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.

Crazy. But hey, props to him to realize that and (hopefully) move to doing something he really likes.

Is he Rich's son? If so, I'm for sure glad we didn't take him

Interesting situation.

I guess it goes to show that some kids are super good at this game but that doesn't necessarily mean they want to live and breathe it. I hope the kid finds his true passion in life.

And then again, maybe he'll regain his passion for the game and try to return at some point. That's what Stefan Legein did. He had a good OHL career, even made Canada's 2008 WJC team. Got drafted early in the 2nd round by Columbus in 2007. Then once it was time to turn pro, he retired in Sept of 2008. He "un-retired" in January of that season but he's been bouncing around the minor leagues and Europe since. Looks like he'll be playing for ECHL Manchester this season.

He's Rich Pilon's nephew. In what might surprise some, he was actually a pretty good skater.

It happens...not everyone wants to play sports and life is short.