Smid going back to Czech republic - will play for Liberec

[calgaryboy]

Hello guys!

Cannot see any thread about this, so I guess you don ´t know.

Laddy is going back to Czech republic, will play for Liberec, Czech Extraleague.

http://isport.blesk.cz/clanek/hokej-...extraliga.html

It looks like he is ready and healthy again.

Greetings from Czech republic!

[Cali Panthers Fan]

Oy vey....he's made a decent amount of money and doesn't have any debilitating injuries...yet, but that last part could chance if he continues to play. The last time he was injured was due to light, but awkward, contact in the corner. Seems like he's at high risk for further injury.

Why? Why is he bothering to put himself at risk just to make a few more dollars? Could he not work in the hockey world without playing?

This seems like a really poor decision to me.

[StrykerSteve]

It's not worth it, Laddy.

I wish him the best though, he was a good Flame in his time here.

[Poe969]

Just be careful. Once the oiler stink was gone from him, he was good but then injuries took their toll on him. I wish him the best though.

[Locke]

I presume hes been medically cleared and he and his medical team know his body better than anyone, I wish him the best. Just dont get hurt!

[18YrOldSamBennett]

Stay safe Laddy! Also for those questioning why he would continue to play hockey even after all of his injuries, it probably has less to do with money and more to do with hockey being his passion.

[Robo]

Ugh i hope he doesn't get hurt again. Good luck laddy

[MarkGio]

He crae crae

[Robbob]

The bigger ice surface will help minimize contact. Sounds a lot like someone just not ready to leave the game. Hopefully it works out for him.

[the2bears]

Best of luck, take care of yourself!

[CroFlames]

Was a warrior on the ice for the Flames and Oilers. I really appreciate toughness, and he was a tough son of a gun.

Hopefully he is well enough to continue playing and gets to play until he's ready to retire on his own terms.

[GioforPM]

Originally Posted by Locke

I presume hes been medically cleared and he and his medical team know his body better than anyone, I wish him the best. Just dont get hurt!

Hopefully they've done their homework. I don't know what their standards are in that league though.

[Gaskal]

Well, I hope his doctors did their homework, because it didn't exactly take a big hit for the neck issues to start recurring. Good luck though Smid, you gave us a bit of toughness during a time when the team was largely soft.

[Locke]

Originally Posted by GioforPM

Hopefully they've done their homework. I don't know what their standards are in that league though.

While true, bigger ice = much less physicality, so hes got that going for him, which is nice.

[Tacoman]

I'll report back on his play in late August. His Liberec team plays against my Cardiff Devils team in Champions League action.

[Geeoff]

Sucks for him to spend all that time with a terrible Oilers team and then get traded to a bad Flames team, only to suffer a long-term injury just as our team is getting good.

[868904]

If he's healthy enough to play, he's actually an ideal number 5 defenceman for the Flames.

Big, tough, skates well and is mobile.

As long as he's not making $3.5 million. At $1.5 million, he'd be perfect, if healthy.

I second what another poster said, playing in Europe would probably be better for his health. He'll take a lot less punishment.

[Hatter]

Glad to hear he's feeling well enough to play again! I'll always have a soft spot for heart and soul guys like Laddy. Best of luck!

[cracher]

Mr. Smid, there is a pretty good chance you're reading this. You should sell me your Rover if you're leaving the country. And all the best to ya.

[DoubleF]

I'm so conflicted on this.

It's awesome that Smid gets another chance to play a game he loves. Then there's the fact he's been awesome for our org and I hope injuries don't wreck his quality of life later on.

Good luck Smid! I hope that injuries do not continue to plague you.