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Saturday, October 16, 1999
Regehr takes huge stride in amazing recovery
But for Robyn Regehr, this was about much more than minutes and shifts and points and plus-minus.
It was a game. An honest-to-goodness hockey game.
It could've been taking place on a strip of the Sahara or a crater on the moon. It just happened to be in Saint John, N.B., against Scranton Wilkes-Barre Penguins, a 4-4 tie.
"It felt ... great," said Regehr of his debut with the Saint John Flames of the AHL. "I was really nervous before the game and during warmup but I went through those little rituals all players have and that seemed to settle me down a lot.
"I played a ton. I got hit good a couple of times and handed a few out myself.
"Initially, after the accident, doctors figured I might not play again until Christmas. So, yeah, in that sense it's been quick. It might seem like a short time to everyone else, but some of those days were awfully long to me."
Regehr, who last year toiled for the WHL Kamloops Blazers, was acquired from the Colorado Avalanche in the Theoren Fleury trade last season.
Only three months ago, of course, Regehr's career had been put in limbo by that tragic car crash outside Saskatoon that claimed the lives of two people and left the 19-year-old with two broken legs.
"Surprised? I'd say we're all a little surprised," said baby Flames coach Rick Vaive. "But to come through what this young man has -- the emotional turmoil, let alone the physical injuries -- shows you what a special person he is.
"I used him in all situations tonight. I thought he played real well."
Regehr, a little bagged at the finish, wasn't looking further ahead than the next Saint John game.
"Being 19 and having only played three years of junior, I can play here two weeks and then they have to make a decision on me. I guess everything will depend on how well I play here."
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