Edmonton Journal · Sep 3, 2015
Smid seeks to rejoin deep Flames blue-line
Andrew Ference of the Edmonton Oilers, collides with Ladislav Smid of the Calgary Flames in preseason NHL action at Rexall Place in Edmonton.Ladislav Smid hopes to be cleared by doctors for contact at the Calgary Flames’ training camp after his second major neck surgery this past February — five years after his first for a bulging disc as an Edmonton Oilers defenceman.
There was talk that Smid’s career could be in jeopardy after he was hurt in November 2014 against the Pittsburgh Penguins when his neck and head took a jolt. His season was pretty much over, right then.
“For sure I was worried my neck wouldn’t come around . . . that’s two surgeries in five years, same vertebrae,” Smid said.