Boston Bruins general manager Don Sweeney is obviously concerned about forward David Krejci.
Boston Bruins forward David Krejci has played his entire career in the Black and Gold. When the 30-year old center was debating whether or not to skate in this month’s World Cup, the Bruins general manager was concerned either way.
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Sweeney certainly wants a healthy Krejci on opening night. While he wanted to support one of his players, having Krejci ready to go in October was his first priority. If Krejci was injured at the World Cup, it would have been an ugly start to the Bruins 2016-17 season.
“David and I had been talking throughout the process,” said Bruins General Manager Don Sweeney. “The Czech Republic team was also in contact with him pretty regularly to get updates as to where his recovery was. David had a general timeline that the doctors wanted to follow, based on how his health was and how he was progressing.”
Krejci wanted to play. He’s been a mainstay for the Czech Republic’s National Team. He was on the 2010 and 2014 Olympic team, and he’s represented his country in previous international events.
“This was very difficult decision for him,” offered Sweeney on Krejci. “David’s a proud guy, he wanted to play. It’s a high-profile tournament. He’s a key member of that team. He would have been at the forefront of their group, so it was a very difficult decision.”
“We were supportive in allowing him the latitude to see how he was feeling during the rehab process and up until the final point when he had to make his decision. We are appreciative of David’s approach, of saying, ‘You know what, I need to be 100 percent for the upcoming season’ and not jeopardizing where the surgery and rehab are at this point in time and it says a lot about him, in terms of his commitment to the organization.”
At the moment, Krejci could be good-to-go for opening night. He’s been participating in the captain’s practices, and has been increasing his durability in increments. He’s slowly getting back to form, and is putting more energy into his workouts.
Don Sweeney and the team’s medical staff were with Krejci every step of the way.
“He had full support of the medical staff said Sweeney. “They have all been down this road before in terms of his previous hip surgery and the overall process and he was not looking to accelerate and no one wanted to push the envelope where he was going to jeopardize his season and his long-term health as a player and a person. Again, very respectful with the overall process that David followed throughout as was in communication with everyone but ultimately he had to make a very difficult decision.”
As a hockey fan, it’s disappointing to see Krejci have to bow out of a major international event. As a Bruins fan, I’m relieved he won’t try to risk his health, season, and career for a World Cup tournament.