Chicago, IL, United States (AHN) – Signing a free agent contract last summer with the Chicago Blackhawks, who defeated the Philadelphia Flyers for the Stanley Cup Championship Wednesday, was the magic move for Marian Hossa.
It still required hard work and toughness, however, as the winger said Saturday he injured his knee in Game 1 of the finals and played with pain throughout the series.
Hossa sprained the MCL in his right knee in the first game of the Cup finals, adding to other health troubles including still-painful shoulder surgery effects and a banged-up back.
Hossa, who had two assists in the first game of the finals, wound up with one goal and three assists in the six-game series, and was held off the scoreboard the final three games while registering a minus-4 in the plus/minus category.
Hossa wanted his name inscribed on Lord Stanley’s Cup so badly that after a 2008 trade to Pittsburgh, he used free agency to change teams two times in as many years trying to improve his chances.
He was acquired by the Pittsburgh Penguins at the 2008 trade deadline for the Pens playoff run. Pittsburgh made it to the final round before losing to the Detroit Red Wings.
Looking to improve his chance for a championship, Hossa signed a free agent deal with Detroit, but the Wings lost to Pittsburgh in a rematch the following spring. Hossa then signed with the up-and-coming Hawks last summer.
Blackhawks winger Andrew Ladd also said he played with a fractured left shoulder after rejoining the Hawks line up for the final three games against Philadelphia.
Ladd injured his shoulder in a freak accident against San Jose, in Game 4 of the Western Conference finals.
Hossa won a 1998 WHL Memorial Cup Championship with the Portland Winter Hawks. Late in the championship game against Guelph, Hossa suffered a serious knee injury that forced him out of the game.
Portland pulled out the win in overtime, and Hossa was able to take a celebratory trip around the rink with the help of his teammates.
More Related Content:
- Stanley Cup Champs ‘Hawks Open Next NHL Season Oct. 7 Jojo Doria - AHN Sports Contributor New York, NY, United States (AHN) - The National Hockey League released its 2010-11 regular season schedule Tuesday....
- Cost Cutting ‘Hawks Ship Forward Versteeg To Leafs AHN Sports Staff Chicago, IL, United States (AHN) - The Chicago Blackhawks made another cost cutting decision Wednesday, trading winger Kris Versteeg to the...
- Reports: Swingman Joe Johnson Re-signs With Hawks Jojo Doria - AHN Sports Contributor Atlanta, GA, United States (AHN) - Teams hoping to lure a top-tier free agents in LeBron James or...
- Browns Second-Round Running Back Hardesty Injures Knee Kareem Shaker - AHN Sports Reporter Berea, OH, United States (AHN) - The Cleveland Browns announced Saturday second-round draft pick Montario Hardesty will be...
