Nov 8, 2009 By Herald Standard Staff 5 min read

PITTSBURGH – A long-term injury brings two kinds of pain for a hockey player. There’s the obvious physical turmoil brought on by the injury. But there’s also a mental toll that comes with becoming a spectator as the season rolls on.

Which is worse?

“It’s both,” Pittsburgh Penguins captain Sidney Crosby said.

Crosby got his first taste of prolonged inactivity midway through the 2007-08 season. In a January game against Tampa Bay, he took a tumble and went skates-first into the boards.

It looked like an innocent play, but Crosby sustained a high ankle sprain that kept him out of the lineup for 21 games. He returned to play two games, then had to sit out seven more while the injury healed.

“You’re not able to skate as much, so obviously things take longer once you do come back,” Crosby said. “Mentally it’s tough because it seems like every day you’re looking at the calendar, seeing when you might be able to get back or how long it’s been. That drains you and wears on you.”

Injured players come to the rink regularly to work out. They sit in on the meetings. But when the game starts, the feeling of separation from the team kicks in.

“With each game you watch, you want to be out there each and every time,” Crosby said. “It’s not an easy thing. You have to be mentally tough and just worry about the things you can control and make sure that when you do get back that you do everything possible to make the adjustment period as short as possible.”

Hockey is the most collegial of the major sports. Maybe it’s because the players sit jammed shoulder-to-shoulder on the bench, or maybe it’s because there’s such a premium on standing up for each other.

Unlike other sports, offensive and defensive units play at the same time. Because of that, there’s a strong bond, and players feel that loss when an injury prevents them from playing.

“There’s really nothing worse,” defenseman Mark Eaton said. “I’ve had the misfortune to have two pretty bad injuries where I’ve missed half the season. There’s nothing worse as a pro athlete than to sit on the sidelines and watch your teammates go to work without you. It’s as tough mentally as it is physically. It’s not a fun thing.”

Eaton was limited to 35 games in 2006-07 because of a left wrist injury. The following season he torn a knee ligament, which restricted him to 36 games.

Last year Sergei Gonchar was limited to 25 games. He spent 21 weeks on the sidelines because of a shoulder injury sustained in the first exhibition game.

Gonchar is currently out because of a broken right wrist. With this injury, however, he’s at least been able to skate and maintain a good level of conditioning.

“Last year I couldn’t skate for three and a half months,” he said. “This time I was skating within two days of my injury. Physically it should be easier this year. Mentally, it’s tough both times. You prepare yourself for the season and you’re ready to go.”

n n n

Question of the week:

“Aside from the money, what’s the best thing about being an NHL player?”

– Sergei Gonchar: “Playing against the best players in the world at the highest level. That, and the atmosphere in the buildings. You see 20,000 people cheering and that’s special.”

– Matt Cooke: “There’s a couple: For most of us, it’s a childhood dream, and not many people get to live that out. The second thing is you’re around a group of guys and it’s like you have 20 brothers you’re at work with every day, and that makes the workplace a fun place to be.”

– Bill Guerin: “Just game day. Just being able to do this for a living is a pretty special thing. So many people hate their jobs. I love coming to the rink every day, but game day is the most special time you can have because that’s the one thing when you’re done playing, you can’t get it back.”

– Marc-Andre Fleury: “Having to play hockey for a job. It doesn’t feel like a job. I love it, with the guys around.”

– Alex Goligoski: “The lifestyle and doing something you love.”

– Jordan Staal: “Just the guys you play with, your teammates.”

n n n

The NHL emerged from its 2004 lockout with a new and improved game.

There was less tolerance of obstruction, which meant that speed was at a premium. The new rules enforcement provided a better game, one where the skilled players could showcase their talent.

There aren’t many people who don’t like the new style of play. Penguins defenseman

Jay McKee, who made his NHL debut in 1995, likes it, too.

He just wonders if something hasn’t been lost in the process.

“I think the sport was built on toughness and courage,” he said. “I’m not talking about fighting. Now, if there’s a scrum in front of the net and someone gives you a little shot, he’s in the box. In the past, that’s kind of what it was all about. It’s a tough game, and I think they’ve taken a little of the aggression out of the game.”