The Players' Tribune: "Hell and Back" by Marc Savard

[GarbageGoal]

https://www.theplayerstribune.com/marc-savard-bruins-hell-and-back/

There’s one thing that I wouldn’t wish on my worst enemy. It’s not the head shot I took. I can barely remember that part. It’s not even the pain and anxiety that I went through after the hit.

The thing that I wouldn’t wish on my worst enemy is the moment when you know that it’s all over. Everything you’ve worked for since you were a kid … it’s really over, and you can’t fool yourself anymore.

For me, that moment came in Colorado on January 22, 2011.

I was coming down the wing at full speed. Matt Hunwick leaned in and hit me clean. Unfortunately, he caught me just right, and my head whiplashed off the glass. Back then, Colorado’s glass was seamless. It was notoriously unforgiving.

 

[WarriorOfGandhi]

man that was rough to read

 

[ThatSaid]

How long before the NHL tries to put the gag on some of these player's tribune articles?

 

[Unspecified]

How long before the NHL tries to put the gag on some of these player's tribune articles?

They can't but with Savard still under contract they probably could.

 

[GoJetsGo55]

Man that was a tough read. I don't think we will ever truly know how it feels to be forced away from the game.

It really is their life and having that ripped away must be gutting.

P.S. **** COOKE!

 

[tarheelhockey]

How long before the NHL tries to put the gag on some of these player's tribune articles?

Depends on how fast they want to get hit with a class action suit.

 

[Seanaconda]

How long before the NHL tries to put the gag on some of these player's tribune articles?

Good lord let the players talk. They will get sued regardless

 

[NickyFotiu]

Classy article by a class individual. Such a great game but very scary stuff. That is why I hope one of my favorite players retires soon.

 

[Fugazy]

Very tough to read that. Scary what some of these guys have to go through.

 

[ThatSaid]

Good lord let the players talk. They will get sued regardless

I was being cynical. I support the players being able to talk, but doubt the NHL will feel the same.

 

[Baemon Severson*]

Devils legend Marc Savard!

 

[Zorf]

I always wonder if Matt Cooke or any other player like him feels bad for things they do that effectively end someone's career and (possibly) affect their quality of life?


I singled out the Matt Cooke type of player (Torres?) because they are repeat offenders who don't seem to understand the consequences of their actions. Or they do and they just don't care.

 

[Soundwave]

I'm dealing with a "not as serious but definitely no joke concussion" from rec league hockey, and man that is tough to read. I nixed any plan of playing summer league with no hesitation.

I thought I was doing better, but one day as I was leaving the house I turned around quickly to grab my keys which were on the kitchen counter, and boom, just like that, I felt woozy for the next 24 hours again. Concussions are no joke.

 

[Old Gregg]

Good read.

The Cooke hit was bad but him rushing himself back before being 100% definitely didn't help. It's too bad.

Also...I wonder if he has ever had his neck examined. I only ask this because there have been a few players who have suffered concussions, but also suffered neck injuries (like Crosby). The neck injuries caused concussion like symptoms so I wonder if he ever had his neck looked at.

 

[Wolfpuck]

Not being able to walk away on your own terms from your life's passion has to be gutting. For me, Savard will always be one of those "what could have been" players.

 

[Man Bear Pig]

I always wonder if Matt Cooke or any other player like him feels bad for things they do that effectively end someone's career and (possibly) affect their quality of life?


I singled out the Matt Cooke type of player (Torres?) because they are repeat offenders who don't seem to understand the consequences of their actions. Or they do and they just don't care.

It's as if some of these guys have sociopath like personalities. They obviously don't care or they'd stop doing it after they ruined one persons life/career. I wish GM's would stop employing bums like Cooke and Torres. If you're hiring these assassin type players you're not much better.

 

[Soundwave]

The story about his first game in the NHL in New York City is hilarious and emotional.

Also **** Matt Cooke.

 

[member 262271]

Very good read and so hard to read at the same time. It's really unfortunate what happened to Marc.

 

[Lazlo Hollyfeld]

https://www.theplayerstribune.com/marc-savard-bruins-hell-and-back/

A good but tough read.

On a side note, it's also bad that it took the league a ridiculously long time to replace the seamless glass, even though they knew it was causing injuries.

 

[Soundwave]

A good but tough read.

On a side note, it's also bad that it took the league a ridiculously long time to replace the seamless glass, even though they knew it was causing injuries.

It's a total bush league.

 

[tsujimoto74]

I always wonder if Matt Cooke or any other player like him feels bad for things they do that effectively end someone's career and (possibly) affect their quality of life?


I singled out the Matt Cooke type of player (Torres?) because they are repeat offenders who don't seem to understand the consequences of their actions. Or they do and they just don't care.

They may even care...It's just that their careers are over as soon as they stop playing like that. These are the types of guys who make their living on that edge. The actions to get rid of hits like the one that effectively ended Savard's career need to come from the top. Unfortunately, the NHL doesn't seem to care much for the idea of taking the DOPS seriously.

 

[mattcookefan]

That was tough to read. Thankfully we've seen the last of cooke

 

[Makar Goes Fast]

insightful read lots of real emotions behind those words.

 

[LeafChief]

**** Matt Cooke. Seriously.

 

[Noldo]

I really hope that publicity like this would actually force the NHLPA to side with the victims instead of standing with the perpetrators claiming that the League is the great evil and the poor innocent players should not be punished in any way.