A career-threatening injury--Souray sat out all of '02-03 with a
fractured left wrist that required four operations--forced him to
reconsider that lifestyle, and he has matured as a result. This
year, finally getting the most out of one of the NHL's heaviest
slap shots, he led all defensemen at week's end with 15 goals,
two more than his career total entering the season.
Souray's impressive return--he'll make his first All-Star
appearance this weekend--mirrors that of the Canadiens, who at
26-20-6-2 were in fourth place in the Northeast Division and on
track for the playoffs. "He's an impact defenseman now," says
Flyers coach Ken Hitchcock. "You always knew that in his end,
there was a price to be paid. Now you pay attention to him in the
other end too."
#cloudtalk