Bruins’ Gregory Campbell recovery timetable update.
May 25, 2013; Boston, MA, USA; Boston Bruins forward Gregory Campbell (11) celebrates after scoring a goal against New York Rangers forward Micheal Haley (32) in game five of the second round of the 2013 Stanley Cup Playoffs at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Michael Ivins-USA TODAY Sports
Much to my disappointment, and I’m sure to a lot of others out there in Bruins Nation, the timetable for Gregory ‘Soupy’ Campbell’s recovery will probably need to be pushed back a little. Campbell is scheduled to have another X-ray tomorrow, and the results will form the template around his recovery. While Campbell is still positive about him being ready for camp and the season, there are a few adjustments he’ll have to make to get back to being one hundred percent.
“I actually felt the screws because of where the incision was and where the plate is,” said Campbell to NHL.com a few days ago. He is currently recuperating in his hometown of Kitchener, Ontario. “So it’s underneath my skate there on the side. So when I tightened it up and I moved my ankle back and forth, I actually felt the screws, which surprised me because I didn’t think I would. But I was talking to people; I have to tweak the boot a little bit so there’s not much pressure on the area.”
Campbell is not a flashy player by nature. He centers the fourth line of the Bruins, the Merlot Men. Most players will get hurt on the ice. They know this. That Campbell could break one of the densest bones in his body, get up and still attempt to make plays for forty five seconds…it’s one of those moments that the hockey gods will want us to remember. (When he retires, you know that will be part of the highlight reel, down to the sold out TD Garden crowd chanting his name.)
For all that glory he earned that night, Campbell is still humble.
“I know that it was a big story, especially back here in Canada, and I’m definitely appreciative of the support, and I guess the praise that I got,” said Campbell. “I wasn’t looking for that, obviously, but I guess I’m appreciative that people appreciated the play. I guess I’m a player that doesn’t get a lot of notoriety and I’ve never been looking for that. But I’ve been looking for respect from teammates always, and other peers in the League that know that it takes really all kinds to win, all the types of players, and it really takes everybody doing everything they can to win in our League.”
Campbell wasn’t looking for notoriety on that play. He was just looking for a little respect. Not only did he achieve both in those forty five seconds, he earned himself a piece of hockey immortality. Campbell is eager to head back to Boston and get ready to participate in some capacity at training camp, now two and a half weeks away.
“There’s countless reasons that I look forward to coming back to Boston, but mainly because I know we’re going to have a good team and I know that we’re going to be able to compete,” offered Campbell. “So for me personally, as long as I’m helping the team obtain that goal of winning, that’s satisfaction enough for me.”
That Campbell will be back on the ice for Boston should be satisfaction enough for all of Bruins Nation.