Shane Pilling was cut loose by the Prince George Cougars during the off-season after multiple concussions limited him to 24 games in 2011-12. Pilling was drafted in the 2008 WHL bantam draft by the Cats and spent two seasons with the team, playing in 84 games and contributing nine points and 54 penalty minutes.
Cougars head coach Dean Clark said the defenceman was let go due to concerns about his health.
"He's a great kid and I wish things would've worked out a little bit better for him," said Clark. "Hopefully the concussion issues are behind him. I wouldn't want to wish that on anybody. He's gone through a really turbulent time with all the problems that he had with concussions."
The 19 year old has joined the Brooks Bandits of the Alberta Junior Hockey League.
Meanwhile, Cody Carlson, the Cougars 2011-12 captain, will play CIS hockey with the Calgary Dinos while studying sociology.
