During the off season, players stay in shape many ways. Most hit the golf course, while others spend time in the pool, weight room, or in the mountains running. For one player a cycling accident this week has him in a Canadian hospital but is expected to make a full recovery.
Free agent defenseman Cory Sarich was cycling in a British Columbia resort town Monday when he was struck by a motor vehicle. He suffered multiple broken vertebrae and a severe case of road rash while training. He remains in the hospital and is expected to make a full recovery. The accident happened in Invermere, B.C., and was airlifted by STARS Air Ambulance to a hospital in Calgary in stable condition with non-life threatening injuries.
Sarich has played in the NHL since splitting time between Buffalo and AHL club Rochester in 1998-99. He’s been a full-time player since 2002-03 with Tampa Bay. He spent seven years in Tampa, with the first couple splitting time with minor league outfits Detroit and Springfield. He moved to Calgary in 2007 and spent six seasons there before spending last season with Colorado. Sarich was a very healthy player when with Tampa Bay and Calgary, having played at least 72 regular season games for eight straight seasons. Included in that stretch was playing all 82 games for Tampa Bay between 2002-03 and 2006-07. He was a member of the 2004 Lightning team that won the Stanley Cup. He was never a high scorer as he has only scored at least five goals and 20 points once in his career.
There is no word on when or if he can return to the ice. Before that is discussed he will continue to make a full recovery. “It’s been a rough couple of days and I’m grateful for the support I’ve been receiving from the medical team here and from family and friends,” Sarich said, according to NHL.com. “My wife, Reagan, and I appreciate all of the kind words and encouragement.”
Sarich took to Twitter yesterday to say thank you for the well wishes he has received.