Frechette is first to leave camp.

Maxime Frechette voluntarily became the first cut from the Reign’s training camp over the weekend.

The 21-year-old defenseman from Sorel, Quebec came with some promise — he was a fifth-round draft pick by Columbus in 2006 — but also with a shoulder injury that caused him to miss significant parts of three of his last four seasons in the QMJHL. It only took three days to realize the shoulder wasn’t up to the ECHL rigors, and Reign coach Karl Taylor said that Frechette was returning to Canada to enroll in college.

“He was nervous about getting hurt again; he didn’t feel comfortable,” Taylor said. “It’s good that he came here, because it helped him make a good decision in the process and hopefully he has a great career in whatever he ventures into.”

Twenty-six players remain in camp: two goaltenders, eight defensemen and 16 forwards. Injured forwards Robert Pearce and Joel Irving are still awaiting medical clearance to participate.