Ales Hemsky, a veteran and former Edmonton Oilers star hired by Marc Bergevin in the summer of 2017, played just seven games for the Canadiens and never played in the NHL again. The Czech returned to his stay in Montreal on Friday and admitted that he had arrived somewhat backwards in the Quebec metropolis.

“After the 2016-2017 season [au cours de laquelle il a été limité à 15 rencontres]“I went to see a doctor in Dallas,” Hemsky said during a video conference with some media representatives organized by Betway. He told me he didn’t think I could play more than 15 games because of my hip.

The prognosis from another doctor in Montreal was more encouraging. Hemsky agreed to a one-year, $1 million contract with the Canadiens.

“The doctor there told me my hip was in good condition,” the main character explained. We had an MRI scan and everything.”

However, Hemsky was not very convinced at the beginning of the season…

Guaranteed to fail

“My hip was bothering me and I wasn’t sure if I wanted to play in the NHL,” he admitted candidly. Obviously, the NHL is the best league in the world and if you have a contract, you want to at least try.

However, Hemsky knew from the beginning of training camp that he would not be able to provide a quality game.

“I spoke to Marc [Bergevin] because my hip was always bothering me. He gave me breaks. I didn’t play every game. And then I got injured because I was already vulnerable, because I wasn’t healthy enough.”

Ultimately, it was a concussion, one too many, that ended Hemsky’s career, which he suffered severely during a match in Anaheim on October 20, 2017.

The Canadiens used every resource at their disposal to help him improve, but Hemsky was never able to return to the game. Even today, the now 40-year-old expresses his gratitude to the Montreal organization.

“The support the Canadians gave me was incredible. They helped me a lot. I saw all kinds of experts. I even worked with a man who cared for military veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder. He found all kinds of things. I suffered from dizziness, which could sometimes be confused with my concussions.

“It was a serious problem that was not being addressed and that previous teams had not solved. When I was hit, my eyes went everywhere.”

He found the light

Suffering from a deep identity crisis, Hemsky went through an extremely dark period after the end of his career. In an emotional letter published on the Czech platform Bez Frazi, he even admitted that he had considered ending his life.

Speaking to Hemsky on Friday, you would never have guessed he was in such dire straits a few years ago. The likeable striker, who played at the Hull Olympics in his youth, seems perfectly happy.

“I’m happy,” Hemsky said. I have a wonderful life with my wife and our two wonderful children. I’m having a lot of fun in Dallas, where I’ve made my home.”

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