PITTSBURGH — Pittsburgh Penguins forward Pascal Dupuis will no longer play hockey because of a medical condition related to blood clots, Dupuis and the team announced today.

The team said in a release on its website that Dupuis experienced several recent medical incidents possibly related to his condition.

The 36-year-old had played 18 games this season while taking blood thinners.

He had to be removed from several games — most recently on Dec. 1 at San Jose — and each time had to undergo a series of tests.

“Despite playing on a medical protocol that has worked for other players in the NHL, we feel that the risk of Pascal playing with his condition and the side effects of the tests to monitor him are just not in the best interest of his long-term health,” Dr. Dharmesh Vyas, the Penguins' team physician, said in the release.

Dupuis has been placed on the injured reserve list, and the Penguins intend to place him on long-term injured reserve.

“It was very difficult for me to make this decision to have to step away from the game,” Dupuis said in the release.

“My wife and four children have always been my first priority, and playing with my condition has become a constant worry for all of us. I want to thank my teammates and the Penguins organization for their unwavering support during this difficult time.”

Dupuis played 871 NHL games over 15 seasons with the Penguins, Minnesota Wild, New York Rangers and Atlanta Thrashers.