nccanes
10-18-2003, 09:13 PM
MacInnis could miss rest of season
By R.B. FALLSTROM, AP Sports Writer
October 18, 2003
ST. LOUIS (AP) -- St. Louis Blues defenseman Al MacInnis has a torn retina in his left eye for the second time in three years, an injury that could sideline him for the rest of the season.
The 40-year-old team captain had surgery on his left eye Friday after complaining of vision problems. During the three-hour procedure, the retina was reattached and the lens was removed.
He also underwent laser surgery on his right eye, which was found to have a slightly torn retina.
General manager Larry Pleau said the recovery period could be as short as a month or as long as four months. He also said risk factors for another reoccurrence would have to be weighed later.
``We're not saying his career is over or his career is not over,'' Pleau said. ``I'm trying to be very upstraight here. We're not saying that, we just felt the best way for us to operate this year was looking at Al not being back.''
The Blues took the same approach last year with defenseman Chris Pronger, who missed almost all of the season with wrist and knee injuries. Pronger returned for a handful of games, plus the playoffs.
Pleau said he didn't know whether MacInnis would be at greater risk after twice injuring the eye.
``I'm not sure even a doctor could tell him that right now,'' Pleau said.
MacInnis previously injured the eye on Jan. 27, 2001, missing 23 games after being hit with a high stick by San Jose's Scott Hannan. That injury left MacInnis with a lacerated eyelid, a corneal abrasion, damage to the lens and blood in the eye chamber.
Since his return, MacInnis has worn a half-shield for the first time in his career.
Pleau said MacInnis didn't recall a specific hit that led to his latest injury.
``No hit, no stick, nothing like that,'' Pleau said.
The loss of MacInnis, the Norris Trophy winner in 1998-99 and the runner-up for the award last season, puts a big dent in the Blues' defense. MacInnis is accustomed to playing nearly 27 minutes a game, and last season played in 80 of 82 games, leading the Blues with 299 shots.
MacInnis led NHL defensemen with 68 points on 16 goals and 52 assists.
``The loss of Al is huge,'' Pleau said. ``But that's an excuse we're not going to use.''
The team called up Aris Brimanis from Worcester of the American Hockey League, and he was in the lineup for Saturday night's game against the Washington Capitals.
The Blues will go with three alternate captains while MacInnis is out, with Dallas Drake, Doug Weight and injured Scott Mellanby each wearing the ``A.'' Mellanby is out with cracked ribs.
Pronger gave up the captaincy before training camp to concentrate on his comeback and will not be one of the alternate captains.
By R.B. FALLSTROM, AP Sports Writer
October 18, 2003
ST. LOUIS (AP) -- St. Louis Blues defenseman Al MacInnis has a torn retina in his left eye for the second time in three years, an injury that could sideline him for the rest of the season.
The 40-year-old team captain had surgery on his left eye Friday after complaining of vision problems. During the three-hour procedure, the retina was reattached and the lens was removed.
He also underwent laser surgery on his right eye, which was found to have a slightly torn retina.
General manager Larry Pleau said the recovery period could be as short as a month or as long as four months. He also said risk factors for another reoccurrence would have to be weighed later.
``We're not saying his career is over or his career is not over,'' Pleau said. ``I'm trying to be very upstraight here. We're not saying that, we just felt the best way for us to operate this year was looking at Al not being back.''
The Blues took the same approach last year with defenseman Chris Pronger, who missed almost all of the season with wrist and knee injuries. Pronger returned for a handful of games, plus the playoffs.
Pleau said he didn't know whether MacInnis would be at greater risk after twice injuring the eye.
``I'm not sure even a doctor could tell him that right now,'' Pleau said.
MacInnis previously injured the eye on Jan. 27, 2001, missing 23 games after being hit with a high stick by San Jose's Scott Hannan. That injury left MacInnis with a lacerated eyelid, a corneal abrasion, damage to the lens and blood in the eye chamber.
Since his return, MacInnis has worn a half-shield for the first time in his career.
Pleau said MacInnis didn't recall a specific hit that led to his latest injury.
``No hit, no stick, nothing like that,'' Pleau said.
The loss of MacInnis, the Norris Trophy winner in 1998-99 and the runner-up for the award last season, puts a big dent in the Blues' defense. MacInnis is accustomed to playing nearly 27 minutes a game, and last season played in 80 of 82 games, leading the Blues with 299 shots.
MacInnis led NHL defensemen with 68 points on 16 goals and 52 assists.
``The loss of Al is huge,'' Pleau said. ``But that's an excuse we're not going to use.''
The team called up Aris Brimanis from Worcester of the American Hockey League, and he was in the lineup for Saturday night's game against the Washington Capitals.
The Blues will go with three alternate captains while MacInnis is out, with Dallas Drake, Doug Weight and injured Scott Mellanby each wearing the ``A.'' Mellanby is out with cracked ribs.
Pronger gave up the captaincy before training camp to concentrate on his comeback and will not be one of the alternate captains.