It was a shot that could have ended Josh Currie’s hockey career.
But not in the P.E.I. Rocket’s mind.
“It was sort of a freak accident,” Currie said, calling it a “one-in-a-million” type punch. “He got me with a good one.”
Currie obliged when Halifax Mooseheads forward Gerrard Grant asked him to drop the mitts during a Nov. 12, 2010, game in Halifax.
Grant’s threw a right hand that broke Currie’s nose and required eight hours of reconstructive surgery to insert 10 plates in his face.
An expected rehab of a couple of weeks slowly turned into about seven weeks during Currie’s draft year. While a significant setback, he never considered giving up hockey.
“I love the game,” Currie said. “This is what I want to do for a living. I couldn’t see myself doing anything else than playing hockey. I’ve loved it since I was two.”
Coach Gordie Dwyer said Currie showed what he was made of following the injury.
“I love the game. This is what I want to do for a living. I couldn’t see myself doing anything else than playing hockey. I’ve loved it since I was two.” - Josh Currie
“It was basically a career-threatening injury as an 18-year-old,” he said. “It really shows his character and his commitment.”
Currie is flattered by those types of comments, but it is just who he is.
“I’m not going to be slowed down by any injury,” he said. “This is what I want to do.”
And there’s another thing you need to know: he isn’t going to change the way he plays.
“Obviously, I’m not going to go out there and fight every game for you, that’s not my role on the team. But I’m not going to back down,” he said, noting it is a careful line he has to skate.
“I’m not going to ever shy away from sticking up for a teammate,” the respected leader said. “You have to show your teammates you’re willing to go to war with them every day and fight for them.”
