Ryan Smyth returns 2 weeks after injurious blindside hit in Alberta league
Ryan Smyth knows how to bounce back.
Three years removed from his NHL playing days, the forward made a speedy return to the Alberta Senior AAA men's league finals, suiting up for the Stoney Plain Eagles only two weeks after a vicious blindside hit that left him concussed.
Related: Smyth says men's league hit among hardest he's ever taken
The hit was delivered in Game 1 of a series against the Larcombe Generals, and earned Kyle Sheen a 16-game suspension. Smyth's return for Game 6 was a last ditch effort to help his team tie the series and avoid elimination.
The @stonyplaineagl1 going all in for Game 6, as @RealSmytty94 emerges from the tunnel to captain the Eagles tonight.
— Lacombe Generals (@LacombeGenerals) March 26, 2017
Smyth scored in an eventual loss, and his hockey future remains in doubt as he considers his long-term health.
Clearly it takes a lot to keep Captain Canada off the ice.
HEADLINES
- Eichel relishing career year: 'Probably the best I've ever been'
- Crosby out vs. Rangers with upper-body injury
- Canucks trade Friedman to Predators for future considerations
- Hart Trophy Rankings: Draisaitl tightens grip in bid for 2nd MVP win
- NHL-leading Capitals only team without player in 4 Nations Face-Off