Nottingham Panthers: Cam Janssen retires to take media role in USA

Cam Janssen (left) helped Panthers win the play-offs and Challenge Cup last season

Nottingham Panthers have been dealt a blow with popular forward Cam Janssen announcing his retirement.

The 32-year-old former NHL player, who helped Panthers win two trophies last season, had signed a new two-year deal.

Janssen will now take up a media role in the USA with a sports radio network.

"Cam's a great guy and he was as good as in tears when he told me what had happened, but he's landed a big job working with his beloved St Louis Blues," said coach Corey Neilson.

"You get curve balls in sport and this one is up there with the best. It happened to us before. It happened last summer and we ended up getting Cam as a replacement then.

"So it will, as ever, be onwards and upwards and we'll get on with it."

Panthers play their first pre-season game against Braehead on 20 August, with competitive action starting on 4 September when they travel to Coventry to begin the defence of their Challenge Cup title.