Eye injury puts Jordan Smith’s career in jeopardy

This article pretty much says it all:

http://www.saultstar.com/webapp/sitepages/content.asp?contentid=3384&catname=Local+News&classif=News+%2D+Local

I know the Pirates had his jersey on the bench on Sunday...And that many in the Portland community are keeping him in their prayers.


Also this statement from the team:

http://portlandpirates.com/newsarticle.asp?Id=983

This article pretty much says it all:

http://www.saultstar.com/webapp/sitepages/content.asp?contentid=3384&catname=Local+News&classif=News+%2D+Local

I know the Pirates had his jersey on the bench on Sunday...And that many in the Portland community are keeping him in their prayers.


Also this statement from the team:

http://portlandpirates.com/newsarticle.asp?Id=983

Sorry...I posted this in the Pirates Thread

I thought it needed its own thread...

Thats really too bad. He was going to be a great player and probably a fan favorite in Anaheim. I hope he comes back...


:kings

What a terrible thing to happen...can't imagine how much that must have hurt. He'll definitely be in my thoughts and prayers as well.

It appears that Duck prospect Jordan Smith has suffered serious damage to his left eye after being struck by a puck from a deflected shot. It happened Friday night in the first period of an American Hockey League game between the Portland Pirates and the Manchester Monarchs.

Smith, 20, is expected to remain at Maine Medical Center in Portland through the weekend after undergoing emergency surgery Friday. The defenseman was a second-round draft pick of the Ducks in 2004 and is in his first pro season.

"This is a difficult injury for Jordan, his family and our entire organization," General Manager Brian Burke said before flying to Portland to visit Smith.

Smith was operated on by Dr. Jeffrey Moore, a retinal specialist, and Dr. Natan Kahn, an orbital specialist, at Maine Eye Center before being transferred to the medical center. The extent of the damage is still undetermined.

http://www.latimes.com/sports/hockey/nhl/ducks/la-sp-duckrep28feb28,1,5719160.story?coll=la-headlines-sports

And more:

http://sports.mainetoday.com/pirates/stories/060228pirates.shtml

Coach Dineen has delayed his weekly radio interview on WJAB which was scheduled for 8:30 THIS AM due to this change in plans----hope it's not bad news-and things have taken a turn for the worse.

It was relayed that Coach Dineen will be on the flagship tomorrow hopefully with better news.

Wow terrible news please keep us informed :(

The news of prospect Jordan Smith's serious eye injury has hit home in the Mighty Duck locker room, and it is influencing some of them to now wear visors on the ice.

Smith, 20, was hit by a puck Friday night while playing for the Ducks' American Hockey League affiliate in Portland, Maine, against Manchester. He was not wearing a visor, and the puck — on a deflected shot — caused what doctors said was "extreme trauma" in his left eye.


http://www.latimes.com/sports/hockey/nhl/ducks/la-spw-duckrep1mar01,1,579818.story?coll=la-headlines-sports

The news of prospect Jordan Smith's serious eye injury has hit home in the Mighty Duck locker room, and it is influencing some of them to now wear visors on the ice.

The full extent of the damage, and whether he can continue to play hockey, is still undetermined. Defenseman Francois Beauchemin wore a visor Monday for the first time since the 2000-01 season when he was with Quebec of the AHL. Beauchemin said he had been considering such a move before Smith's injury.

Hearing about his friend Smith was enough for second-year forward Joffrey Lupul to don a visor, which he began wearing Saturday.

http://www.latimes.com/sports/hockey/nhl/ducks/la-spw-duckrep1mar01,1,579818.story?coll=la-headlines-sports
That's what the whole team should be doing.

That's what the whole team should be doing.

At least none of those players will have something terrible happen to them like the injury to Mr. Smith.

I wish Mr. Smith GL and he will be in my prayers tonight.

Coach Dineen has delayed his weekly radio interview on WJAB which was scheduled for 8:30 THIS AM due to this change in plans----hope it's not bad news-and things have taken a turn for the worse.

It was relayed that Coach Dineen will be on the flagship tomorrow hopefully with better news.

Honestly Hutch the news doesn't get any worse. I just think Dineen really isn't interested in talking about the injury.

my prayers are with jordan. i am friends with his sister and i hope for all their sakes he has a full recovery.

Terrible news, Jordan was always one of my favourite players in the OHL as he came up through the junior ranks, hopefully he's still able to have a long successful career.

Its unfortunate that Lupul opted not to put on a visor like he said he would. On the plus side, Vishnevski had one back on. Hopefully it stays.

Terrible news. Hopefully he can be able to bounce back. I personally feel that visors should be mandatory, and it's good to see some Ducks put them on.

Its unfortunate that Lupul opted not to put on a visor like he said he would.

He said he is wearing one every day in practice now to get used to it but he wasn't quite comfortable to use it vs. Detroit. He is planning on wearing one for the rest of his career once he gets used to it.

He said he is wearing one every day in practice now to get used to it but he wasn't quite comfortable to use it vs. Detroit. He is planning on wearing one for the rest of his career once he gets used to it.

Yeah, I know but it would have been nice for him to start getting used to the visor in a game that sucked @ss anyway (hindsight). This delay just gives an excuse to suck in a future game too.

Smith is one tough kid,I wish him all the best.

Unfortunately the worst news possible came out of this. He will never regain sight in that eye and his NHL career is officially over before it really began. There is a press release out there that came out late today but I cannot find it. It is true however. :(

Unfortunately the worst news possible came out of this. He will never regain sight in that eye and his NHL career is officially over before it really began. There is a press release out there that came out late today but I cannot find it. It is true however. :(

Wow. Sad, sad story for a promising young kid. Best wishes to him and his family.

“Today Jordan underwent a second surgery on his left eye, which was uncomplicated. It was determined pre-operatively that vision in the eye could not be restored and the intent of today’s operation was to keep the eye comfortable and achieve the best cosmetic outcome. The surgery was successful in all aspects and he is recovering well and will be discharged tomorrow,” said Dr. Moore.

:(

http://www.portlandpirates.com/newsarticle.asp?Id=987

very sad...how many more times does this have to happen before all leagues make some sort of eye guard mandatory?

Tough day but I'm sure with his family and support system that it is really the beginning of a new life. Amazingly, knowing what we do today, he was at the Sunday game this weekend and from reports in good spirits...quite a strong young man under the circumstances!

I am happy to hear that the Ducks are committed to helping him with an education and potential career changes. Burke is a class act...

"This is a very difficult situation for a young, brave man to go through. Our thoughts are with the entire Smith family, and Jordan will always be a part of ours," said Executive Vice President and General Manager Brian Burke. "He will rebound from this and we will be there for him and his family as they move forward from here."

That blows. Sorry Jordan.

What I find incredible is people in beer/rec leagues who not only don't wear a full cage but don't wear a visor either.

You have 100 mph frozen projectiles and 12 sticks out there yet you have nothing covering your face, it doesn't make sense.

There's always a risk. There are eye injuries even with visors.

The question has always been injury risk vs. visor distorting the view. Some think the risk is too high, some say it's not.

They are professionals, it's their eyes, their careers and therefore it's also their decision.

There's always a risk. There are eye injuries even with visors.

The question has always been injury risk vs. visor distorting the view. Some think the risk is too high, some say it's not.

They are professionals, it's their eyes, their careers and therefore it's also their decision.
teams also have investments and some players are pig headed and won't do anything unless forced too

Visors are going to be mandatory within a few years, it's inevitable.

teams also have investments and some players are pig headed and won't do anything unless forced too

Well the investment's value goes down if the player is not as good because of a visor (many say the visor distorts the view making it harder to estimate speeds & distances).

As long as the game of hockey is played with rock hard piece of vulcanized rubber, there WILL be damage to facial area unless players are forced to wear full-cages.

Just the name of the game.

Btw, I think Jordan Smith should be named the Captain of Portland for the remainder of the season.

I am willing to bet that he remains in hockey and gets his feet wet in the coaching ranks. His leadership makes him a no-brainer for coaching if he chooses that. I am predicting an assistant coaching gig in the OHL, possibly beside Craig Hartsburg in the Soo, since he will assumably move back here now. Jordan is VERY highly regarded as both a person as well as a player here in the Soo and I am sure the city would pull behind him 100% if he goes that way.

This whole ordeal is terrible. I went to elementary school with Jordan and he's become one of the classiest players (off-ice), I've ever known. He'd do anything for you and a person like that is hard to find.

I am sure he'll move back home and deal with what's been given to him then somehow stay involved in the game. However, it is sad to see his career end at such a young age. Almost before it started, even. The Ducks have lost a very promising prospect.

Well the investment's value goes down if the player is not as good because of a visor (many say the visor distorts the view making it harder to estimate speeds & distances).

The scoring leader board of the NHL suggests that claim is bunk. Quite a large number of the best scoring players were visors.

The scoring leader board of the NHL suggests that claim is bunk. Quite a large number of the best scoring players were visors.

Pay attention Hank, I never said 1) it affects everyone and 2) it's a huge difference.

For some it's bad enough not to wear one.

Pay attention Hank, I never said 1) it affects everyone and 2) it's a huge difference.

For some it's bad enough not to wear one.

I suppose I agree, it's their career let them do what they want. But it should be written into contracts just like certain off-ice activities ... if you get hurt as a result of those, you forfeit the right to the remainder of your salary. There's no reason why a team should pay for an individual player's choices.

I suppose I agree, it's their career let them do what they want. But it should be written into contracts just like certain off-ice activities ... if you get hurt as a result of those, you forfeit the right to the remainder of your salary. There's no reason why a team should pay for an individual player's choices.

The problem is that some of those injuries can happen even with a visor.

Also there are several injuries which have been caused by the visor itself.

I don't think NHLPA will ever accept that and since NHL can't change it without the approval of NHLPA, visors most likely won't be made mandatory during the current CBA.

Pay attention Hank, I never said 1) it affects everyone and 2) it's a huge difference.

For some it's bad enough not to wear one.

I never said you said anything.

I think the claim MADE BY PLAYERS is bunk, they are just being stubborn. They wear visors in Junior and College and do just fine. Large numbers wear them in the NHL just fine.

The players have free choice and can do what ever they want. My beef is with the league. The league should make it manditory and end this silly debate.

The problem is that some of those injuries can happen even with a visor.

So a player should only wear protective equipment if it prevents 100% of injury cases? By that reasoning we should let them not wear helmets since they still get concussions.

Also there are several injuries which have been caused by the visor itself.

Minor injuries, nothing a few stitches won't fix. Lame duck argument.

I suppose I agree, it's their career let them do what they want. But it should be written into contracts just like certain off-ice activities ... if you get hurt as a result of those, you forfeit the right to the remainder of your salary. There's no reason why a team should pay for an individual player's choices.
The team could just pay them less is they won't use one. When trying to agree on a contract mae sure that they know you won't offer more unless they have one. If most the teams started doing that it would work.

I think the claim MADE BY PLAYERS is bunk, they are just being stubborn.

So you're claiming they are lying about the visors distorting their vision? Gotcha.

There IS a reason why so many players ditch the visors in pros. But yeah, they are just probably lying about the visor distorting their view and not being comfortable with one right? :shakehead

They wear visors in Junior and College and do just fine..

Because they HAVE to wear them over there, it's not like it's their choice.

Large numbers wear them in the NHL just fine..

So? Many players don't wear them and do fine as well.

The players have free choice and can do what ever they want. My beef is with the league. The league should make it manditory and end this silly debate.

Uhhuh, players have free choice and can do whatever they want yet league should make them mandatory and force them NOT to do whatever they want. That's some nice logic there.

Their eyes, their health, their vision, their careers. Therefore it should be their call as well. If teams don't want players who don't wear visors, trade them away and stop drafting guys who say they won't wear visor. Very simple.

Let's not hijack the thread. The visor arguments can be summarized by going back to 1979, when mandatory helmets were being debated - same stuff.

this may be decided quickly....

The AHL is on top of this and is strongly considering visors be made MANDATORY .

Well the investment's value goes down if the player is not as good because of a visor (many say the visor distorts the view making it harder to estimate speeds & distances).

As long as the game of hockey is played with rock hard piece of vulcanized rubber, there WILL be damage to facial area unless players are forced to wear full-cages.

Just the name of the game.

Btw, I think Jordan Smith should be named the Captain of Portland for the remainder of the season.
you can recover from a broken nose, a puck or stick to the mouth, losing a few teeth. But an eye injury can end your career. Steve Yzerman now wears a visor after his unfortunate injury. How many more players have to lose vision in an eye before someone steps in?

For what it is worth, the Smith family has looked into whether or not the vision limitations are the same in the AHL as they are in the NHL. He MAY eventually try to play in the AHL some day if they will allow it. Just throwing that out there.

So you're claiming they are lying about the visors distorting their vision? Gotcha.

Not lying, just exaggerating the ill effects.

Uhhuh, players have free choice and can do whatever they want yet league should make them mandatory and force them NOT to do whatever they want. That's some nice logic there.

Its not logic. Its protecting players from their own stupidity. We do it all the time with seat belt laws, motorcycle helmet laws, and so on.

Well it certainly sucks to hear the terrible news of Jordan's eye. I certainly hope he can lead a normal, healthy life. Best of luck Jordan. :(

Here's the latest article on the situation.
http://morningsentinel.mainetoday.com/sports/stories/2507664.shtml

Here's the latest article on the situation.
http://morningsentinel.mainetoday.com/sports/stories/2507664.shtml
That's such a depressing read. :(
Not wearing a visor is definitely not worth risk, imo.

Here's the latest article on the situation.
http://morningsentinel.mainetoday.com/sports/stories/2507664.shtml


Here's another link from the LA Times:

http://www.latimes.com/sports/hockey/nhl/ducks/la-sp-ducks7mar07,1,3949772.story?coll=la-headlines-sports-nhl-ducks

The Ducks said they would honor the remainder of the three-year, $600,000 entry-level contract Smith signed in August.
That's cool. Hopefully he uses it wisely to start a new career. I would think the Ducks insurance would cover his medical costs.

That's cool. Hopefully he uses it wisely to start a new career. I would think the Ducks insurance would cover his medical costs.

Yeah Kudos to Burke for doing that. Many other non-NHL pro sports would have drop kicked him to the curb.

Yeah Kudos to Burke for doing that. Many other non-NHL pro sports would have drop kicked him to the curb.

The Ducks have always been pretty good about taking care of their guys, even during the Disney days. I remember reading an article about how during the '94 lockout when many players were left without health insurance, Disney picked up the tab for a few Anaheim players whose families had medical needs to deal with. Glad to see that's one Ducks tradition that's carried over with the ownership change.

Not lying, just exaggerating the ill effects.

Yeah, they are exaggarating those so badly just so they don't have to wear equipment which protects their eyes.

Again, your logic is full of holes here.

Its not logic. Its protecting players from their own stupidity. We do it all the time with seat belt laws, motorcycle helmet laws, and so on.

Seatbelts protect the health of others while visors are there only for the player himself.

No correlation there.

even Burke has changed his stance on this, and he's been a pretty staunch supporter of players choice...

Actually seatbelts are for the wearers... it's me who gets killed if I go flying through the windshield.

Back in '94 they took care of Milos Holan also, didn't they?

Actually seatbelts are for the wearers... it's me who gets killed if I go flying through the windshield.


Seatbelts also protect others. If you're not wearing seatbelts, you will slam your head to wheel/windshield/sidewindow much harder thus greatly increasing the chances of you being incapable of steering the car anymore. Wearing seatbelts gives you better change to stay capable of steering the car and thus gives you a better chance to minimize the damage.

Best wishes to Jordan Smith and his family.

If you're not wearing seatbelts, you will slam your head to wheel/windshield/sidewindow much harder

Yes, I agree. I'm glad we make people wear them and thus prevent those injuries.