Nilsson discussed a 2019 game versus Vegas in which he first felt symptoms, but they were not deemed serious enough to pull him from the game.
"I felt a bit dazed then, but finished the game. I didn't have a headache and if you don't have a headache you don't have a concussion. That's the mentality in the NHL. But after that hit I just felt tired all the time."
A puck to the head a few months later aggravated Nilsson's symptoms. Nilsson thought the symptoms were getting out of hand now.
"I became extremely sensitive to light and wore sunglasses even to dinners with my family. I slept for hours upstairs in our house, but got annoyed just from the TV being on downstairs. It took a year for me just to be able to walk into a grocery store again."
It's clear he's doing lot better than previously. Still, he has daily sensitivities.
«I still wear sunglasses even on overcast days. Sometimes it's hard to be around the kids, just because I'm so sensitive to light and sound. I'm constantly tired and I get angry easily. But I'm just thankful I've gotten to where I am today."
Nilsson announced his retirement through Instagram on August 8th. He blames his unwelcome retirement on post-concussion symptoms and neck pain.
«I would like to announce my retirement from professional ice hockey. My post concussion symptoms and neck problems make it impossible for me to continue as a professional goalie. Obviously not the way I wanted my career to end, but I got to achieve my dream as a kid to play in the NHL and represent my home country Sweden on the world stage. I would like to thank everyone who has helped me along the way and supported me through the ups and downs of my career. Also, a big thank you to the New York Islanders, Edmonton Oilers, St. Louis Blues, Buffalo Sabres, Vancouver Canucks, and Ottawa Senators organizations who gave me an opportunity to put on their jersey, as well as Ak Bars Kazan. I will always hold with me the memories of playing for those teams. A special thank you to my home town team Luleå Hockey, who supported me from a young kid to a pro.»
