poetica Posted February 2, 2016 Share Posted February 2, 2016 Canucks D Hamhuis nearing return Quote Dan Hamhuis didn't see it coming. The Vancouver Canucks defenceman had just lost the puck and was trying to get back in position with his team clinging to a late lead against the Rangers when a wild slapshot from New York's Dan Boyle slammed into his face. Hamhuis was wearing a visor, but it didn't matter. He fell to the ice, kicking his skates and writhing in pain as blood spilled from his mouth. The damage was catastrophic. Some bones were broken, others were shattered. "There are times as a defenceman where you know and you feel you're in the danger zone," Hamhuis said last week. "You protect yourself and you get the important stuff behind equipment. With this one I was well out of the shooting lane. "It just came off his stick funny and caught me by total surprise." Doctors waited nearly 48 hours after the Dec. 9 injury before settling on how to put Hamhuis back together. "You could count 15 to 20 breaks right through the face ... and up into the cheek," said Hamhuis. "There wasn't a quick fix. It was figuring out how to anchor things to each other for support." The 33-year-old had to be fed using a syringe for the first week following the surgery — sucking from a straw could have caused further damage — and his mouth was wired shut until early January. "Through the Christmas break it was tough to see everybody else eating turkey," Hamhuis said. "I was sitting there drinking smoothies." Apart from needing more dental surgery in the off-season, it's now hard to see the severity of Hamhuis' injuries on the surface. That doesn't mean there aren't long-term implications. "I'll have a couple plates in my cheeks permanently," said Hamhuis, who lost about 10 pounds during his recovery. "There are a bunch of numb spots through my mouth and my gums and my nose a little bit. It's hard to say how permanent that will be." The Smithers, B.C., native wasn't thinking about his career in the days following the horrific injury, instead focusing on leading a normal life with his wife and two young daughters. "It was just a matter of getting through it," said Hamhuis. "Especially those first seven to 10 days, it was dealing with the claustrophobia of being wired shut and being on a lot of drugs at that time. Hockey wasn't on the forefront of my mind. "As time went on things heal, things get better, things get easier, the wires come off and you start looking forward to hockey again." Hamhuis, who missed a chunk of last season with a groin problem, was back skating with the Canucks prior to the all-star break and is eager to return to the lineup soon as Vancouver tries to push for a playoff spot in the Western Conference. "Just from the pain point of view you never want to see a buddy go through something like that," said Canucks goalie Ryan Miller. "It's been inspiring to watch." Hamhuis has declared himself fit to play and is hoping to work through any jitters before returning to game action. "It's just a matter of getting my timing back. That's going to come through practices," he said. "That's where I hope to lose the tentativeness. Whether you're injured or not, just being out for two months, it's tough to come back." In his sixth season with the Canucks, Hamhuis is set to become an unrestricted free agent on July 1. Hamhuis has a no-movement clause in his contract and wants to stay in Vancouver, but understands there's a possibility management might choose a different path. "It's an obvious thing that it's there," he said. "The most important thing right now is to get back on the ice and get playing. I think our team's in a great position right now to make a good run. "I really believe in this team. I like the direction we're going. I like our young guys and it's something that I would like to be a part of." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RonMexico Posted February 2, 2016 Share Posted February 2, 2016 Ouch. Sounds awful. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
billabong Posted February 2, 2016 Share Posted February 2, 2016 these guys have millions in the bank account and living the dream so its hard for me to feel sorry for some of these guys sometimes, but that is some kinda hell he had to go through Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
arowind Posted February 2, 2016 Share Posted February 2, 2016 4 minutes ago, billabong said: these guys have millions in the bank account and living the dream so its hard for me to feel sorry for some of these guys sometimes, but that is some kinda hell he had to go through They at least work hard and perform at the highest levels for their millions of dollars. I can think of plenty of millionaires/billionaires out there who deserve the cash far less. Get well soon Hammer. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RUPERTKBD Posted February 2, 2016 Share Posted February 2, 2016 I've been hit in the face with a puck three times in my close to 50 years playing. Luckily, none of those were anywhere near as serious as Hammer's injury (although you should have see the black eye I got from one of them ) That being said, I can commiserate. When you get back in the lineup, it's difficult to not think about getting hit again. He might be tentative for a while. Maybe we could all be a bit patient before criticizing his play when he returns? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Odd. Posted February 2, 2016 Share Posted February 2, 2016 I hope nothing but good things for Hamhuis. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Canucks Prophet Posted February 2, 2016 Share Posted February 2, 2016 10 minutes ago, billabong said: these guys have millions in the bank account and living the dream so its hard for me to feel sorry for some of these guys sometimes, but that is some kinda hell he had to go through It's true that these guys make a lot of money, but money isn't everything in life. Health, happiness, family, friendship, love, passion, these things are far more valuable. We shouldn't forget that money is simply an object used for trading, and nothing more. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
N4ZZY Posted February 2, 2016 Share Posted February 2, 2016 Hammer is a trooper for this franchise. he's been a good defense man. unfortunately with all players. they do decline. I hope we get a good return on Hamhuis and then resign him in the off season. we need a stable dman. Edler is not that guy. Sbisa isn't either. though he's a different type of dman. Hammer needs to be back here by Summer's end. #canuck4life Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cuporbust Posted February 2, 2016 Share Posted February 2, 2016 45 minutes ago, billabong said: these guys have millions in the bank account and living the dream so its hard for me to feel sorry for some of these guys sometimes, but that is some kinda hell he had to go through Not to mention the mental hell of standing in front of more 100 mile an hour shots. Would be pretty hard thing to handle mentally I bet too Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PhillipBlunt Posted February 2, 2016 Share Posted February 2, 2016 Glad to hear Hamhuis is doing better. The guy is one of the good ones. Looking forward to seeing him back in the lineup. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chon derry Posted February 2, 2016 Share Posted February 2, 2016 having had my jaw dislocated ,not broken initial pain is one thing approx,2 weeks, then jaws wired and held with small elastics, 6 weeks, of sucking strained soup, with butter through a straw or ice cream isn't much fun either. then there,s 2 or 3 months of eating soft food,s noodle,s eggs what have you, then there,s the fear of re injury. hamhuis had facial fracture,s much worse than my experience. this guy is one brave hockey player to consider the comeback ,to either the canucks or to an unknown fate of a 2 month slug fest of a playoff run. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cuporbust Posted February 2, 2016 Share Posted February 2, 2016 1 minute ago, chon derry said: having had my jaw dislocated ,not broken initial pain is one thing approx,2 weeks, then jaws wired and held with small elastics, 6 weeks, of sucking strained soup, with butter through a straw or ice cream isn't much fun either. then there,s 2 or 3 months of eating soft food,s noodle,s eggs what have you, then there,s the fear of re injury. hamhuis had facial fracture,s much worse than my experience. this guy is one brave hockey player to consider the comeback ,to either the canucks or to an unknown fate of a 2 month slug fest of a playoff run. Ya my thoughts exactly. Gotta really admire a guy like that. Just shows the level of mental toughness this guy has. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alflives Posted February 2, 2016 Share Posted February 2, 2016 7 minutes ago, PhillipBlunt said: Glad to hear Hamhuis is doing better. The guy is one of the good ones. Looking forward to seeing him back in the lineup. Selfishly, so we can t#%de him. I sheepishly say.. Get well soon Dan. we need the pick! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Toyotasfan Posted February 2, 2016 Share Posted February 2, 2016 Hope he re-signs with us next year after we trade him at the trade deadline for a first rounder and he wins the cup with the Capitals. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kevin Biestra Posted February 2, 2016 Share Posted February 2, 2016 After seeing Bieksa get his calf sliced twice in quick succession, I bet he doesn't feel like he's safe going forward because lightning already struck him once. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kevin Biestra Posted February 2, 2016 Share Posted February 2, 2016 24 minutes ago, Toyotasfan said: Hope he re-signs with us next year after we trade him at the trade deadline for a first rounder and he wins the cup with the Capitals. I'm kinda surprised we've never seen a player who wanted to play for one city just repeatedly sign one year deals with that team, where they trade him at the deadline if they are going to miss the playoffs. Rinse, repeat... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Positive Canuck Posted February 2, 2016 Share Posted February 2, 2016 35 minutes ago, Toyotasfan said: Hope he re-signs with us next year after we trade him at the trade deadline for a first rounder and he wins the cup with the Capitals. ideal situation if he re-ups with us at 2M or less. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alflives Posted February 2, 2016 Share Posted February 2, 2016 9 minutes ago, Kevin Biestra said: I'm kinda surprised we've never seen a player who wanted to play for one city just repeatedly sign one year deals with that team, where they trade him at the deadline if they are going to miss the playoffs. Rinse, repeat... We should put all of our guys over 30 on such one year (boomerang) contracts. Great idea! You are our next GM Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fanuck Posted February 2, 2016 Share Posted February 2, 2016 Best of luck on your return Hammer! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
apollo Posted February 2, 2016 Share Posted February 2, 2016 1 hour ago, arowind said: They at least work hard and perform at the highest levels for their millions of dollars. I can think of plenty of millionaires/billionaires out there who deserve the cash far less. Get well soon Hammer. That's debatable... Very debatable. Most rich people I know work 80 hours a week minimum... Athletes have much easier lives. However, their talent is just something else. Get well soon Hammer. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Archived
This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.