Komisarek may miss rest of season, Olympics
Written by on February 2nd, 2010 in Latest News.
Toronto’s Mike Komisarek, left, might be shut down for the year, which would force him to give up his spot on the U.S. Olympic team. (Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)
Toronto Maple Leafs defenceman Mike Komisarek is facing the possibility of having his season come to a premature end, with his immediate future hinging on another meeting with medical personnel Wednesday.
The 28-year-ancient has been sidelined since Jan. 2 with an undisclosed upper-body injury, which has been widely reported as a shoulder problem. His spot on the U.S. Olympic team is also hanging in the balance.
“I’ve tried not to reckon too much about it,” Komisarek said Tuesday. “If you dwell too much on something like that, you sort of lose track of the focus and what you need to be doing. I’ve been working hard with the strength coach and been talking with the doctors a lot, doing exactly what I need to do to get back.”
He acknowledged the possibility of having to end his season.
“I reckon there’s a possibility that’s certainly there,” he said. “If there wasn’t, I’d certainly be back. But it’s certainly a possibility.”
Komisarek said he resumed skating within a week of the injury. He took part in the team’s morning skate Tuesday, but has not been cleared for physical contact.
“Our first priority with Mike is, ‘what are we doing to get him back to play for the Leafs?’” said Toronto head coach Ron Wilson, who is also the U.S. Olympic coach. “The Olympics is secondary.”
Komisarek has four assists through 34 games with the Leafs. He is a minus-9 with 40 penalty minutes.
“I have one more test tomorrow,” Komisarek said. “I’ll be sure to be well-rested and have a cup of coffee before, ready to go. I want to do as well as I can. I’m looking forward to not only coming to help this team, but with the Olympics, you certainly need four or five games to get in there and feel comfortable and confident.”
He said a choice on the Olympics would be made over the next couple of days.
“As a young player, you dream about winning the Stanley Cup, and you dream about winning a gold medal representing your country,” he said. “Being a proud American hockey player, we all witnessed and watched … the Miracle on Ice. And this, being the 30-year anniversary, you want to be a part of that.”
But, repeating what he has often said since Jan. 2, his primary responsibility is with the Leafs. Komisarek signed with the team as a free agent last summer, and is set to earn $4.6-million US over each of the next four seasons.
“My long-term health is more vital to this team than having me, for selfish reasons, play in the Olympics, as much as I want to,” he said. “We have fantastic doctors here. We have fantastic staff that have been helping me get through this. And I just want to get in there. I don’t know what to say.”
