Concerned Savard ‘really far away' from ever playing again

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At times Marc Savard has almost become a forgotten man with the Boston Bruins.

Its expected the concussed center will never suit up again in the NHL after absorbing too many head injuries suffered during his hockey career.

The vicious head shot suffered at the hands of Matt Cooke two years ago effectively ended his career takes on even more tragic tones when Savard discusses the symptoms he still battles stemming from the predatory blow.

He managed to play in the postseason against the Flyers two years ago while later admitting the concussion symptoms crept back in during the seven-game series, and managed to play in 25 games last year before a Matt Hunwick hit in Colorado finally knocked him out of commission.

The one constant has been post-concussion symptoms that have been with him for over a year now, and many of them are downright frightening.

Ive had a lot of issues obviously. They were a lot of different things. This year I was at home a lot and I tried to help out my son coaching and getting on the ice a little bit. Even doing just getting on the ice coaching I wouldnt feel well afterward: lightheadedness, a little bit of an upset stomach all the time, said Savard during an interview with Powerplay on NHL Home Ice on SiriusXM Radio. But the biggest issue Ive had, of course, is the memory issues. Its very frustrating. Its something I hope I dont have to deal with for the rest of my life.

With CTE (Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy) on the tip of the sports worlds tongues after the tragic suicide of Junior Seau two days ago and the deaths of three NHL enforcers last summer, the 34-year-old Savard ticked off considerable difficulties hes encountered while hoping things dont get worse.

Ive gone through a lot of stuff, and when stories like Seau come out you worry about the future for everyone, said Savard. I wish there was a black and white rule for head shotsit would be better for the game.
Savard is plagued by dizziness, depression and memory loss over the last two years, and most of those post-concussion symptoms havent abated since No. 91 last played on Jan. 22, 2011. The center hasnt attempted serious exercise in over a year and instead hopes there will come a day when the fog finally lifts from his brain.

Savard admitted during the interview he is really far away from playing professional hockey ever again, and that unfortunately might be the best thing for a player thats just trying to recapture his quality of life after one too many savage head injuries.

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