MONTREAL, QC. — Headshots and concussions seem to be at the forefront of every hockey discussion, as they remain an ongoing issue in the NHL. Too many careers are ending as a result of post-concussion symptoms, and many fans are beginning to question the integrity of the game we love so much.
It got me thinking about more than whether or not he’ll be ready for October. If Crosby never plays hockey again (God forbid), would it be the saddest case of “career cut short”? I did some research to see who else had their careers involuntarily shortened.
Howie Morenz: While his career did not end as a result of a concussion, Morenz is generally considered the original “great” whose career was cut short by injury. Hailing from Mitchell, Ontario, the aptly nicknamed “Mitchell Meteor” was a three-time Stanley Cup champion, a two-time Art Ross winner (1928 & ’31), and a three-time Hart trophy winner (1928, ’31, ’32). One of the original 12 Hockey Hall of Fame inductees, Morenz died of complications from a broken leg he sustained during a game. While his death was tragic and well before his time, his professional career still lasted 14 years.
Eric Lindros: He often winds up on the table when talking about superstar careers cut short by concussions. While he did sustain several concussions over the course of his career, said career still spanned over 13 years. Barring his final three season, where he didn’t put up the average 1+ points per game he put up earlier in his career, he had an illustrious career, and I would argue that his decline was synonymous with that of any veteran coming down off a 13 year career. A Hart trophy winner (1995), an Olympic silver (’92) and gold (2002) medalist, Lindros accomplished more in his career than most NHL players ever will. I wouldn’t blame the end of his career on concussions alone.
Pat LaFontaine: Yet another NHL’er forced into retirement by post-concussion symptoms, LaFontaine has since gone on the record stating, “as far as I’m concerned, any hit to the head should be illegal and call for severe punishment. Without question, the league has made some strides, but I want to see zero tolerance.” LaFontaine played 865 NHL games, scoring 468 goals, putting up 545 assists for 1,013 points.
Steve Moore: We will never definitively know whether or not Moore could have put up big numbers in the NHL, or if he was indeed the career “minor leaguer” that Brian Burke allegedly considered him to be. Drafted 53rd overall by the Colorado Avalanche in 1998, Moore only played in 69 NHL games before sustaining three fractured vertebrae and a concussion from a malicious blow by Todd Bertuzzi (then of the Vancouver Canucks) on March 8, 2004. Moore never played hockey again, and a lawsuit filed against Bertuzzi seeking damages is still in the courts. Bertuzzi’s career is going on more than 15 years.
Donald Brashear: While the injury Brashear sustained on February 2, 2000 didn’t end his career, a career still ended that day. After a vicious slash to the temple by Marty McSorley, Brashear suffered a seizure as well as a concussion. McSorley was suspended for the remainder of the season (including the playoffs), was charged with assault with a weapon, and sentenced to 18 months probation. While Brashear was able to return to the game and remain an all around league “tough guy”, McSorley’s career ended that day as he would never return to the NHL, with no one to blame but himself.
Adam Deadmarsh: Drafted 14th overall in 1993 by the Quebec Nordiques, Deadmarsh’s career saw a Stanley Cup victory (1996) and an Olympic silver medal (2002). Unfortunately, after sustaining several concussions over the course of his professional career, Deadmarsh was forced to retire after only nine years in the NHL, putting up 373 points in 567 games with the Nordiques, Avalanche and Kings.
That being said, let’s hope Crosby recovers and is able to continue playing the game we all love so much. I want the opportunity to call him Sidney Cry-baby during the playoffs again.
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Photos from cbc.ca, nationalpost.com, canadiens.com, citytv.ca, Associated Press