Kukla's Korner Hockey
Michael Liambas Gets Another Shot
by Paul on 09/07/10 at 02:14 PM ET
Comments (5)
from Kevin McGran of the Toronto Star,
The Maple Leafs are giving banished junior Michael Liambas a chance to resume his hockey career.
On Oct. 30, 2009, Liambas was playing for the Erie Otters’ when he drove Kitchener’s Ben Fanelli into the boards, causing a serious head injury. Liambas, now 21, was given a season-long suspension by CHL commissioner David Branch that ended his junior career.
The Leafs invited Liambas to their rookie camp which begins Saturday in London, Ont.
“We’re going to give him a chance at rookie camp,” said Toronto general manager Brian Burke.
“He’s an honours student. Everyone that’s ever played with him raves about his character. (Erie general manager) Sherry Bassin and (coach) Robbie Ftorek told me he’s as good a kid as they’ve ever had.
continued and if you need a refresher on the hit, watch it below…
Filed in: NHL Teams, Toronto Maple Leafs | KK Hockey | Permalink
Tags: Michael+Liambas,
Comments
No one is the sum of the worst single thing they ever did.
Posted by redxblack from Akron Ohio on 09/07/10 at 02:36 PM ET
tell that to all the hypocrite Bert haters outthere
Posted by edillac from isolation on 09/07/10 at 03:29 PM ET
Of course Brian Burke would be the one to give him a chance to make the NHL…
Posted by Garth on 09/07/10 at 03:32 PM ET
Why, out of curiousity, is someone who despises Bertuzzi for what he did to Steve Moore a hypocrite? I can certainly see how Vancouver Canuck fans are hypocrites. I was in Vancouver at the time of that goonery and to a person, everyone I spoke to or overheard justified Bertuzzi’s actions. But that doesn’t explain why someone who despises the man for that is a hypocrite, Edillac.
Interestingly, as this article notes, Liambas was suspended almost immediately when he started pro hockey for a bad hit.
In both cases, it doesn’t look/sound like he intended to cause damage, but one needs to be aware of the fact one CAN cause serious damage playing hockey. Hopefully Liambas has learned that. Certainly Bertuzzi has, he’s not been the same player since.
Of course, Moore hasn’t been any kind of player since.
Posted by Ransacker on 09/07/10 at 06:37 PM ET
The kid should get a second chance. His penalty was as much about the OHL making an example of him as the actual hit was borderline dirty. Hockey needs to stop looking at how injured the victim is and start deciding these on the intent injure by the perp. I am all for strong penalties against blind side high hits that are intending to injure. As for Bertuzzi, he has paid a huge price for his actions, it is time to move on and leave him alone!
Posted by timbits on 09/07/10 at 10:24 PM ET
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The hit itself didn’t look that dirty compared to a lot that goes unpunished in the NHL - but clearly the outcome was awful. If it truly was out of character for this player, it would be good to see him get another chance. No one is the sum of the worst single thing they ever did.
Posted by redxblack from Akron Ohio on 09/07/10 at 02:36 PM ET