Ryan Smyth loves the game so much that after 15 grueling years in the NHL the former Oilers captain is still getting his fix of competitive hockey.
It would be a shame if that was taken away from him by a former minor-league goon dishing out disgusting cheap shots in an Alberta senior men’s AAA league.
That could very well be the case after Smyth, who is playing for the Stony Plain Eagles, was knocked unconscious by an exceptionally late elbow to the head after scoring a goal in the Chinook Hockey League provincial final.
https://www.youtube.com/embed/SjOMVbCDbOY?feature=oembed
Smyth, 41, is at home recovering from the hit, but given what we know about head injuries you never know how long that process will take.
Thank you all for the well wishes. I’m home resting with my family & hoping for a speedy recovery. The EMT’s and Eagles staff were amazing.
— Ryan Smyth (@RealSmytty94) March 13, 2017
The player who delivered the hit is Kyle Sheen of the Lacombe Generals, a 33-year-old elevator mechanic who spent his brief semi-pro hockey career racking up penalties in the SPHL and now defunct CHL and UHL. Prior to that he spent his junior career with the WHL’s Kootenay Ice and Kamloops Blazers, where he had 54 fights, 524 PIMs and 85 points in 225 games.
Sheen has spent his last six years with the Generals, where he has fought less and scored a bit more while winning six league titles and capturing the Allan Cup last season, which is awarded Canada’s senior league champions. He was given a five-minute major for the hit on Smyth and is currently awaiting punishment from the league.
Smyth only joined the Eagles in late January, presumably looking to have some fun and scratch that competitive itch while seeking another title for his trophy case that includes gold medals from the Olympics, World Cup, World Championships, World Juniors and the Spengler Cup.
He still could end up getting the trophy, but because of a dangerous decision by a dumb player, Captain Canada might have played his last competitive game.
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