Chris Pronger out for 10-14 days, sparks visors debate within hockey community -NHL News Update
Philadelphia Flyers lost their captain, Chris Pronger, once again just when he was about to begin performing as he was struck with a hockey stick of another player in the eye during their matchup against the Toronto Maple Leafs on Monday, October 24, which
they won, 4-2.
Luckily, according to the latest reports, Chris Pronger did not suffer any major damage to his eye and is expected to be back on the Philadelphia line-up within 10-14 days.
Other than a minor cut just on the outside of his right eye, the veteran forward has not sustained any major loss, which could have been losing his vision due to the type of incident that took place.
"He had a little bit of a cut just on the outside of his right eye", Philadelphia Flyers general manager, Paul Holmgren, told reporters after the game. "The eye doctor checked him out thoroughly, and he's got a little bit of an issue right now with his eye”.
As soon as he was struck, Pronger began screaming in pain which obviously startled his teammates who quickly rushed him off the ice and brought him in the attention of the present medical staff at the stadium. Something which could have been much worse fortunately
turned out to be smaller than expected.
For Flyers head coach Peter Laviolette, it was something he never wants to see again.
“I think anytime somebody sees an injury to the face, especially when you know it’s that area, the first thought is ‘I hope his eyes are all right”, said Laviolette. “Certainly with the way he got up and off the ice the way that he did, I think that everybody
got a pit in their stomach”.
Other than Pronger being injured, the incident has sparked a debate within the hockey community on whether players must be forced to wear a visor in order to protect the upper portion of the face or not.
Looking at the benefits, it is easy to see that wearing a visor has nothing but benefits, but asking some players who have tried one on, it is a nuisance to do so because of the decrease in clear vision and the continuous need to clean it when it fogs up
or ice manages to stick on.
Chris Pronger avoided a career ending injury, which he certainly will not let happen again after announcing to wear a visor the next time he plays.
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