OTTOWA, ONTARIO – At just 28 years old Ray Emery has already had something of a colourful career. After backstopping Ottawa to the Stanley Cup final, he left the NHL just 12 months later after a very public downfall before returning to ‘The Show’ with Philadelphia after a season in the KHL. Emery’s latest comeback however may be far more spectacular.
The Ottawa native assembled a respectable 16-11-1 record with the Flyers posting a .905 save percentage and 2.64 GAA before an MRI scan on a nagging groin issue resulted in him being diagnosed with avascular necrosis, a disease which would see the ball in Emery’s right hip deteriorate almost to its core. The disease effectively ended Bo Jackson’s NFL career in the early 1990’s and most assumed Emery would suffer the same fate, given the physical demands placed on a top flight goaltender.
Instead, Emery looks to be on the cusp of a dramatic comeback to the NHL!
Opting against the usual path of having a hip replacement, Emery underwent an operation in April to graft bone from his lower leg in to the ball of his hip. After months of recovery time, which included being bed ridden for a month at his parents’ home in Hamilton followed by a period on crutches whilst the joint healed, Emery linked up with former Maple Leafs trainer Matt Nichol late in the summer for a gruelling programme to get back in shape.
Emery’s work paid off and he returned to the ice in October for some light training. Last week he was back in his home town working with goaltending coach Eli Wilson and has said he is ready to take on an AHL assignment in order to get back to full fitness and get back to the NHL.
It seems it may be an aim with very realistic chances of coming true. Emery’s agent, JP Barry, told the press there are three NHL teams currently interested in the former Senator and that a deal could be done soon.
While a good case could be made as to why several NHL teams might show an interest in Emery, for starters he would not have to clear waivers like Nabokov, the very fact he has made it back to this stage after being almost written off is one of the games most remarkable stories.
In a bizarre twist of fate, recent interviews have shown a more mature Emery after the long road he has endured over the past 10 months – an accusation which may not have been levelled at the puck stopper once upon a time, where rumours of partying and jokes about beating the fans out of the car park dogged him during his final year in Ottawa before the Senators bought out his contract with two years remaining.
With the deadline looming, one of the most unexpected comebacks in the NHL could be just round the corner.
Contact the author: rob.mcgregor@prohockeynews.com
You must be logged in to post a comment.