Top Prospects Duncan Siemens, Brett Connolly put bad experience behind them –NHL offseason Update
The Canadian National Junior Team development camp is underway and it is a time when some of the best players from around the country gather to play together for national glory. When there is so much talent in one place, there are bound to be misunderstandings
and even mistakes.
Top prospects, Duncan Siemens and Brett Connolly, were a part of something which could exactly fit the requirements of a misunderstanding.
On Thursday, August 4th, Siemens and Connolly smashed into the side boards situated in the left wing corner during the third period of a training matchup. Fighting for the puck, Connolly tripped over Siemens stick which apparently got tied up
between his skates, thus resulting in him being helped off the ice by medical staff on the scene.
Initially, the incident was viewed to have created new tensions between the young prospects, as teammates were anxiously awaiting the return of Connolly to see how the situation plays out. Fortunately, there was no reported injury, and he was ready to go
by Saturday morning.
According to 17-year-old, Duncan Siemens, who is the 11th overall selection of Colorado Avalanche during the 2011 National Hockey League (NHL) Entry Draft, the move was totally professional and in no-way personal.
"I play a tough physical type game and, unfortunately, Connolly got hurt there", Siemens said about the incident during practice. "Obviously, there were no intentions to go out there and hurt him. I spoke with him after and he seems to be doing OK and knows
there are no hard feelings”.
Realising that Siemens had apologised right after the mishap took place, Connolly expressed his feelings as not hurt either before or even after the event, but regarded it rather as part of the game, something which could have happened to anyone.
"It's something that happens and I'm not going to be mad at (Siemens)", Connolly said. "It was just an unlucky play, and I went into the boards hard. He came up after and said he was sorry so, it's all good. It happened and it's over with".
Brett Connolly, a 2010 NHL Entry Draft pick of Tampa Bay Lightning is looking forward to be signed on soon by the major league club, and after this accident, he seems ready to perform with even more dedication.
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