Montreal Canadiens Max Pacioretty ready to bounce back next season, forget past -NHL Update
Max Pacioretty went out in a bad way back in March during the 2010-2011 National Hockey League (NHL) regular season, but now having fully recovered, the 22-year-old has his eyes set on making a comeback and forgetting about what happened in the past.
In one of the worst injuries of the last season, Pacioretty missed nearly half of the season, along with their playoff appearance after taking a hit by Boston Bruins captain, Zdeno Chara, during a matchup.
The hit was so hard that it resulted in a serious neck injury and severe concussion, but in latest reports, Pacioretty is feeling better than ever.
"It's good to finally get some physicality going, to take a couple of hits and give some as well", Pacioretty said during team practice. "My neck's feeling great and I'm ready to go".
Keeping players like Sidney Crosby in mind, Pacioretty cannot be grateful enough to not have reoccurring concussion related symptoms, which certainly would have stalled the young players’ career. In order to play it safe, the 22-year-old is continuing getting
regular checkups and tests done.
"I don't think I'm in the clear completely, I know some of these players many months down the road have experienced some symptoms", Pacioretty said. "So I'm aware of that, and I hope to keep getting as lucky as I have with my situation".
Drafted as the 22nd overall pick during round-one of the 2007 NHL Entry Draft by Montreal Canadiens, Pacioretty will be entering his fourth consecutive season with the team after having potted a career high of 24 points (14 goals, 10 assists)
in 37 games.
Instead of returning to the American Hockey League (AHL) with Montreal’s affiliates, Hamilton Bulldogs, Pacioretty is eyeing a more permanent spot on the major league roster next time around.
"I obviously like to be on the map and I like people to know who I am, but I want this situation to be in my past as soon as possible", Pacioretty said.
Next season, most eyes will be surely on Max Pacioretty as he attempts at making a comeback from one of the most infamous incidents in hockey history.
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