ANCHORAGE - Alaska Anchorage junior Andrew Pickering (Vancouver, B.C.) has retired from hockey due to health concerns, announced by head bench boss Dave Shyiak on Tuesday.

"Andrew has sustained two concussions in the last two months and has decided to concentrate on his health and studies," said Shyiak. "It is unfortunate for Andrew and the Seawolf program as he has worked hard in the classroom and to get his body ready for this season."

A Western Collegiate Hockey Association All-Academic Team honoree and a member of the WCHA Scholar-Athlete Team a year ago, Pickering dressed in nine games during his rookie campaign before seeing ice time in six games in 2011-12.

"We will continue to assist him in any way possible as he moves forward," said Shyiak.

The Seawolves, now with 25 active players on their roster, will host No. 2-ranked Minnesota on Nov. 9-10 at the Sullivan Arena. The games are scheduled to commence at 7:07 p.m. AST both evenings.