Peter Forsberg considering another NHL comeback

With the obvious exception of professional prizefighters, no other professional athlete seems to have as much difficulty leaving their sport as NHL hockey players.  Perhaps it has something to do with the fact that of all major team sports hockey players more closely share the toughness, dedication and heart that personify professional boxers and MMA fighters.  More often than not, it’s a bad decision to attempt to turn back time both in the ring and on the ice.  While there are a few examples of success at a relatively advanced age, like 46 year old Detroit Red Wings defenseman Chris Chelios they are few and far between.

The latest superstar to long for a return to the ice is Peter Forsberg, who has already retired and come back one before.  He hung up the skates after the 2006-2007 only to make a late season comeback with the Colorado Avalanche in 2007-2008.  He retired again prior to the start of this season but has since made clear his intention to return to the NHL.  In an interview on a Swedish hockey program Forsberg made the following statement:

"I want to play. I hate sitting in the stands and not be able to be out there on the ice. If it doesn't work this time, I'll call it quits. But I have the best doctor in the world in Bertil Romanus, and without him I would have given up already. I'm still hopeful."

Forsberg also indicated that he’d definitely want to be back in uniform by the NHL postseason, and that should he come back it would “most likely” be with the Colorado Avalanche.

The 35 year old Forsberg had surgery on his foot several weeks ago, but neither he nor his agent would comment on the specifics of the procedure.  He had trouble with his foot last year which necessitated wearing a bizarre sounding electrode device during games.  He described the contraption thusly:

“I had a battery package hidden in my pants. When I turned it on, the foot straightened in the skates. It was kind of funny."

The desire of hockey players in general and Forsberg in particular certainly can’t be questioned—few professional athletes would literally shock themselves just so they can continue playing through injury.