How Kimmo Timonen Put His Life at Risk Playing For The Blackhawks
It's long been know that hockey players ignore or disregard ailments to go to battle with their teams.
However, it almost always ends in a bad way. Perfect example is Shea Weber most recently, as he left it all on the ice aiding the 2020 installment of the Canadiens to the Stanley Cup Final. The decision to play through the pain, was ultimately the culmination of �The Man Mountain's' career.
Recently, another defenceman announced that he left it all on the ice, playing through injury for the excess of four months.
As evidenced by the Athletic, here's the quote:
«He said, �I think we can find a way for you to finish your career the next four months,'» Timonen admitted as per The Athletic. «He said, �It's not safe, but we can find a way to finish.' I said, �Let's go, I can take that chance.' Everyone around me thought I was crazy, but my passion for the game was strong and I wasn't going to retire without my skates on. The Flyers said, �No chance, we're not going to kill you.' That was when we found this guy in Washington.»
Surely, the caliber of the Blackhawks team that Timonen played for, made it a difficult decision.
The decision ended up being a substantial one, as it cemented a holy grail-like ending to the Finnish defenceman's career.
«We won the Stanley Cup,» Timonen said. «There I was, on the ice with my skates on, raising the Cup. I was happy.»
Reward outweighed the risk and Timonen went out on top, retiring on skates and not from the press box.
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