Another Hockey Career Cut Short by Injury

By R. Inkrat, Special Report to Sports Illustrated

 Pat Lafontaine.  Bobby Orr. Cam Neeley.  Adam Deadmarsh.  Paul Kariya.

These are just a few of the great hockey stars whose careers were shortened or ended by the cumulative effects of injury.

And now, perhaps saddest of all, another brilliant career is cut short by injury, that of Morning Hockey Club goalie Glenn Michaels.  From his combative on ice persona, to his signature NGOAL4U license plate, to his faithfulness to the MHC and fellow players, Glenn Michaels was, and is, one of a kind.

As a former forward converted to the goal (what, was he crazy?), Glenn brought unparalleled passion and hard work to his backstopping role.  Time and again, Glenn's brilliant saves kept his team in matches, even when out manned by the opposition. ON those rare days when things were not going well for Glenn, he was likely to show his frustration by taking it out on his goalie stick, the cage, a water bottle, or any other inanimate object unlucky enough to be handy.  He took it out on himself.  But never, never on a teammate, even those whose mistakes put Glenn in the hole.

"As many times as I blew a defensive play and let someone in on Glenn all alone," said MHC defenseman Bryan Dench, "he never once blamed anything on me, though he could have often."  Michaels played the game hard, but with grace and a comradely spirit that made him a pleasure as a teammate or adversary.  Oh, he might have sunk into a dark study in his corner of the locker room after a tough outing. But he focused on himself and how to do better next time. Never on recrimination or shifting blame (even when the blame would have been well deserved).

Glenn was also famous for his wry wit, and one liners that were so bad they were good!  Though Glenn customarily dressed in "the Library," the quiet dressing room for adult players, he would nonetheless liven the chatter with his sense of humor and broad knowledge and interest in all sports and their history.

Michaels was hurt a few months ago, when helping Vezina Trophy and MVP winning goalie Tim Thomas of the Boston Bruins at a Tim Thomas goalie camp in Falmouth, Maine. "I had asked Glenn to show me some moves for getting across the goal crease quickly," Thomas remembered sadly, "and Glenn's knee just gave out on him all of a sudden.  It was awful.  I couldn't feel worse, because it was just like Glenn to try to help out a fellow goalkeeper and this happened when he was trying to help me."

Michaels was characteristically gracious and philosophical about it and never once complained.  He underwent surgery and followed it with a long convalescence.  Last week, however, it became clear once and for all that Glenn could not return to competition.

"Usually for a patient Glenn's age euthanasia would be the treatment of choice for any serious sports injury," said surgical team leader Dr. Sanjay Gufbahal at the time of the surgery.  Last week he said, "We are just glad we could save him.  If we can now get him to observe the limitations of his treatment plan [no beer] there is a chance for a normal life."

"After 4 weeks of working from home, 8 weeks of gradually working up to full time, not being able to drive for a month, 8 months of rehab (6 still to go) and more I have decided I can't risk another major injury like this," said Michaels in announcing his decision to retire. 

The accolades and well wishes poured in.  Typical of them are these.  "Get well brother, you will sorely be missed," said the MHC's Alec Newcomb. "Playing against and with you was always a blast."    Dan Fahey, who played defense in front of Michaels often, added, "It was a pleasure playing with you and you will be missed. Hope your rehab continues to progress well."

Asked what he will miss the most, Michaels said, "The friendships and memorable moments (hearing Leo [Iacopucci] say #$$#%%^#!! after he was robbed...the faces of the players who realized that I took your space...and having someone asking for me to prove the puck was in my glove after a save (I didn't know I had in me) all will never be forgotten.
 


Always first to the locker room, Glenn now leaves the lights out behind him. The hockey world says, It won't be the same without you, Glenn.  Thanks for everything.

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