17 replies to this topic

[GLOVESAVE35]

NEW YORK (Ticker) - Due to nerve damage in his left shoulder, New York Rangers goaltender Dan Blackburn announced his retirement on Sunday.

Blackburn, New York's first-round pick in 2001, suffered the injury prior to training camp in 2003 and missed the entire 2003-04 season. He underwent nerve exploration surgery on his left shoulder on March 31, 2004 and attempted to return to the ice.

But in New York's recent training camp, Blackburn also suffered a strained MCL in his left knee on September 15.

Link to article on TSN:

http://tsn.ca/nhl/news_story.asp?ID=137657&hubName=nhl

Poor Blackburn - he had such a promising future, then the freak injury happened. I remember how excited the Rangers were about him; ex-Ranger John Davidson even let him live with their family for a while. Blackburn was kinda the Rangers' answer to the Islanders' Rick DiPietro. How sad for him.

This makes it the 2nd young goalie to retire this season.

Good luck in your future endeavors, Dan!!!!

[ahtikullervo]

Very sad story...

[PortBeach13]

This has to be the sad thing for him and his family.

We'll miss you Dan!

[Dark Knight]

Best of luck Dan!

[cayli'smom750]

What a shame. So young. Best wishes to you, Dan!

Jeez, who's next?

[LUPUL15]

that blows

[Francaise]

That's too bad. However...if the stupid Rangers perhaps had not worked the young goalie to the bone, he may not have suffered such an injury. Oh well, maybe it would have happened. he was such a good young prospect, and a nice kid.

[pixiedawn]

Jeez, who's next?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Steve Shields!!!!






Maybe not.

[GLOVESAVE35]

Jeez, who's next?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Steve Shields!!!!

Maybe not.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Pixied! Francaise won't be too happy with you.

[pixiedawn]

I know. I was gonna say Bryzgalov, but Shields was an easier target.

[jojo983]

That is sad. How did he damage his shoulder? Best of luck to Dan in the future!

[hockey2k]

Here's another article on the topic: Blackburn Ends Comeback

Obviously I'm sad, but also I'm a little bit relieved that I can move on. This has been dragging out for over two years, so it's nice to have a little bit of closure," Blackburn said. "I've got a permanent disability. I just wasn't feeling comfortable with the way things were going. I was trying to remain optimistic as possible, but sooner or later, you just have to be a little bit more realistic."

[GLOVESAVE35]

Playing goal in the NHL with two blockers instead of a catching glove never seemed very plausible, yet Dan Blackburn knew it was the only way to restart his Rangers career.

But any optimism finally gave way to the inevitable, and the 22-year-old former first-round pick announced his retirement yesterday prior to the Rangers' 4-2 exhibition win over the Boston Bruins at Madison Square Garden.

[Francaise]

hahahhahahaahah...you all think I'M a big Shields fan. I love it!

[sykora_39]

Poor Danny!

[Barmy Army]

Yeah, this is a huge shame. He seems such a nice guy. Good luck for the future Dan.

[Kimi]

That's too bad.  However...if the stupid Rangers perhaps had not worked the young goalie to the bone, he may not have suffered such an injury.  Oh well, maybe it would have happened.  he was such a good young prospect, and a nice kid.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

It was the way he healed (or didn't), not really the Ranger's fault. They did all they could to help. I think he was working out in the off-season or something.

He's in line for $6 million compensation from this. Link.

[hockey2k]

The original injury occured while Dan was weightlifting, but this was aggravated by another incident during a scrimmage at the Rangers prospect camp a few weeks later. (separated shoulder, I think) He ended up needing surgery and some of the nerves never healed right after that. Dan has never blamed the Rangers always had good things to say about all the support he got from them during his recovery and attempted comeback.

A lot of other people blamed the team though, saying they rushed him, but I think it was just an unfortunate accident.

Danny played his junior hockey out here in the WHL and was just amazing.