With this information, Leo Komarov will join the HIFK team in January. He wonders if he could possibly continue his career longer because of Huil’s injury.
Simo Arkko,
Ann-Christine Karhu
The last practice game before the start of the season. The game situation was completely normal. A small tackle, which caused the legs to cross. There are similar situations in almost every match.
– I immediately felt that there was something in it. After a few ice packs, it already felt pretty good, HIFK striker Leo Komarov says.
Komarov was optimistic that the lower body injury would be treated in a few days as before. However, the magnetic images were barren. The leg had to be operated on and it knew four months of sick leave.
Komarov had disappointment at the forefront of his mind. He was a new player in the team and had only been with the team for a little over two weeks.
– I was so excited to be here. When I went to the first trainings, it was so nice that I didn’t have to pack things, but could wake up, take coffee with me and go to the hall. It ended pretty quickly.
Water running is not pleasant
In the first weeks, Komarov could only lie down in pain. After three and a half weeks, he got rid of the crutches and now he has already been able to train.
Although in a new way, because he has been training with rubber bands, doing small pounding exercises and going swimming. For example, water running is new to Komarov.
– There’s really nothing good about it. Maybe it’s when you get into the hot tub after running, Komarov laughs.
Lots of good things too
After 14 years of touring abroad, Komarov is satisfied that he can be in Finland, where life revolves around him normally. Komarov has been on TV as an expert, visited a lot of arenas and watched matches.
At home, on the other hand, he hasn’t had to lounge around alone, but the days have been long with kindergarten-aged children.
– There has been a lot of good here. Of course, I would rather play, but first I already thought, how can I handle this. It could be that after a month the pan is completely stuck again and it can’t be done. This has gone surprisingly well.
36-year-old Komarov wonders if Huili’s matches could lead to a longer playing career.
– Now that it’s going to be played a bit, would the body be ready to play a little longer than I had thought. But of course there is no answer to that until we try.
– Otherwise, there is more time to think about something else. Yes, this is a striking experience.
HIFK runs
The doctors have told Komarov that he will be able to play with a 99 percent probability. According to the estimate, the attacker will get on the ice in December and in the lineup during January.
– HIFK is doing well now. I don’t know if they still need me. I can sit in the stands for the whole season when they play so well.
Komarov describes that he develops by one percent a day towards playing condition. Now I feel better than last week, but there is still a long way to peak condition.
The most important thing for Komarov is that he is in good shape when he returns to the rink.
– When I come, I’m ready. The schedule will tell you when it is.
After a career in hockey
Komarov has assured that he will continue his career, but he says that he has already thought about the time after his career. There is nothing concrete yet, but for example at the moment he has been in expert positions.
Konkari thinks that he could work as a coach or agent in the future, for example.
– I don’t really like the media, but it’s a nice experiment nonetheless. I have played enough that I can comment on them with my own experience. Would it be my job after my career, hardly. Probably something related to hockey, says Komarov.