BREAKING NEWS: Emery to undergo offseason surgery
March 31, 2004

Posted by: Bob Howard
Credit: Scott Lauber of Press Connects.com

Emery to undergo offseason surgery

BY SCOTT LAUBER

Press & Sun-Bulletin

BINGHAMTON -- Ray Emery's fondness for fighting literally has come back to hurt him.

Ottawa Senators goalie coach Phil Myre confirmed Tuesday that Emery, a two-time AHL all-star and the organization's prized goalie prospect, will require offseason surgery on his right wrist, which he injured in a December brawl in Philadelphia and aggravated during a fight in Wilkes-Barre earlier this month.

"He is going to miss part of his summer," Myre said. "There's a lot he won't be able to do as far as offseason training. There are some things he can't do even now."

Emery, called up Sunday as an emergency fill-in for injured Ottawa goalie Patrick Lalime, wasn't available for comment, but talk of possible surgery surfaced last week after he missed a morning skate in Ottawa to see a wrist specialist.

The initial injury occurred Dec. 28 when Emery punched Philadelphia Phantoms winger Mike Peluso in the first of four third-period brawls. He missed five games in mid-January to rest his wrist but re-injured it March 3 when he punched Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins rookie Michel Ouellet and earned his third multi-game AHL suspension in two seasons.

Myre, in town the last two days to work with Binghamton Senators goalies Billy Thompson and Andrew Allen, said he is concerned about Emery's ability to control his fiery temper and fears it could undermine his chances of succeeding in the NHL.

"I'm very concerned," Myre said. "But he knows how I feel about it and how the organization feels. You can be competitive and stick up for your teammates or show your grit in many ways, but as a goalie, you can't go looking for it. He's not going to be a star as a fighter, but he could be a star as a goalie. It's up to him.

"When you're 21 years old, sometimes you think you are invincible. Sometimes you don't see the consequences of what you do. I'm concerned, but I'm also very confident he'll be able to weigh his priorities and become an NHL goalie."