“Everything Was Black”: Boston Bruins Legend Narrated the Darkest Moment of His NHL Career in 2017

The NHL is infamous for various grappling and man-handling instances that tint its 100-year-old history. Remember Ace Bailey, who got a tremendous hit from Toronto Maple Leafs’ Eddie Shore during the 1933-34 season playoffs? The clash ended up with the retirement of Bruins’ Bailey as he suffered from a fractured skull. Nevertheless, almost a century-old history was repeated in 2010, when once again, a Bruin was injured by his Canadian rival during a playoff. 

In 2010, Boston Bruins played against the Pittsburgh Penguins in a regular playoff season. Marc Savard, who then played as Bruins’ center, got a shoulder-to-head shot from Penguins’ Matt Cooke during the match. Following this, Savard suffered from a Grade 2 concussion and had to miss the remainder of the season. However, Savard participated in the second round of playoffs in 2011. Unfortunately, he again fell prey to another concussion as he got hit by Colorado Avlanche’s Matt Hunwick. This time, the Canadian knew that “it’s all over”, and he retired from his beloved sport of ice hockey.

Marc Savard recalled the injury that concluded with his NHL retirement

In 2017, writing for The Players’ Tribune the former ice hockey player talked about the worst injury that led to his retirement from the ice rink. Recalling the concussion that blindsided him he penned, “Everything was black. I shut my eyes and then opened them again. All black”. That’s the moment when Savard, “knew it was over”.

Reminiscing about the aftermath of his injury, he stated, “I knew I had just played my last game in the NHL”. Savard further added, “I was sobbing. I remember my coach, Claude Julien, coming in and trying to console me. But I couldn’t be consoled”. 

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Furthermore, for the champion, it was difficult to leave the sport he religiously pursued. Penning his agony, Savard wrote, “Words can’t describe what I was feeling”. It clearly was a tough moment for the icon. Nevertheless, Marc Savard’s fascination with the sport still keeps him on the field, now as a mentor for the next generation of ice hockey champions.

Marc Savard coaches the junior ice hockey team back in his homeland

The 45-year-old ice hockey legend now serves as the head coach of the Ontario-based, junior ice hockey team, Windsor Spitfires. Interestingly, Savard led Spitfires to 44 wins at the Western Conference championships. Moreover, as head coach of the team, he once stated, “It feels amazing. I have been waiting for this opportunity”.

In spite of suffering from post-concussion syndrome, Savard still has the drive to win in his beloved ice hockey arena. Though he has left the NHL, he is now preparing the coming generations for the National Hockey League. Marc Savard definitely is a staunch champion, don’t you think?

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