LONG WAIT FINALLY OVER FOR HARD-WORKING SENATOR
Forward finally returns to game action 538 days after concussion troubles
Only moments after being told his line by coach Guy Boucher that was up next — words Clarke MacArthur has been waiting to hear for what seemed like an eternity — he stood up on the Ottawa Senators bench, waited for the change and stepped on the ice. The comeback was complete. All MacArthur has ever wanted is one more chance to play the game he loves, and only 1:45 into the first period of the Detroit Red Wings’ visit to Canadian Tire Centre on Tuesday night, that moment arrived.
If all goes as planned for MacArthur, there will be no more talk about having to recover from post-concussion syndrome.
Ottawa GM Pierre Dorion revealed that MacArthur was returning to the lineup a few hours before game time, and it didn’t take long for the debate about the decision to heat up on social media. Many weren’t comfortable with it, didn’t feel MacArthur should ever play again and wondered why the Senators were allowing this to happen.
Given that the Senators forward had suffered four concussions in 18 months, the fans’ concern was understandable, but this is MacArthur’s choice. The explanation is simple: He has worked for it, he deserved it, he wanted it and after extensive medical testing, MacArthur was given the green light and the time had come to move onto the next phase of returning to play.
When MacArthur skated onto the ice to face the Wings in a pivotal game with playoff implications — the Senators play their final four contests of the regular season this week — it had been 538 days since he last pulled on the No. 16 jersey. While his ice time was expected to be minimal, MacArthur’s mere presence was meant to have a big impact.
“I didn’t know him, I knew of him, but after talking to the players this summer I thought, ‘My goodness, this guy is a gigantic part of the team’ with the intangibles,” Boucher said. “When he got injured in camp, it was the end of the world; we really felt it was the entire group, whether it was the players or the organization.
“You saw how much people felt for him. He’s such a great person, a great leader, he’s a heart-andsoul guy and those guys have such an impact on the group, more than what they do on the ice. It’s a happy day for him.”
Once MacArthur passed a baseline test last Tuesday in Ottawa and was given medical clearance to play, then the rest was up to the Senators. He has been checked by several concussion experts and recently underwent two days of testing at a facility in Michigan to determine if he was ready.
“From Day 1, I have said the doctors will decide. They have spoken, he is playing tonight,” said Dorion.
Make no mistake, MacArthur spoke up as well. He has tried desperately to make this return since rejoining the Senators in early March. The first player on the ice every day and the last player off, MacArthur has worked harder than anybody on the team to keep his skills sharp for the day he could use them again in a game.
He has wanted to come back since he suffered the most recent concussion during training camp in September. In January, doctors told MacArthur they didn’t clear him because he didn’t pass the baseline test. The news was devastating, it was difficult and it wasn’t what he wanted to hear after countless hours of work. 1
Erik Karlsson, Senators
The captain got it started, beating Howard from an acute angle to break the scoreless deadlock.
2
Craig Anderson, Senators
After allowing a pair of awful goals Monday, he rebounded with a perfect 24-save performance Tuesday.
3
Clarke MacArthur
First game in 17 months after concussions.
MacArthur told Postmedia three weeks ago he went to Florida with the thought of retiring and to consider what was next. He toyed with the idea of a job in hockey, maybe working in the media or getting involved in real estate development. Perhaps the trip was what he needed. He was surrounded by people who had moved onto the next phase of their lives and the 31-year-old wasn’t ready to slow down. Maybe someday, but not yet.
Instead of just playing golf, MacArthur joined a gym, called strength coach Chris Schwarz for a workout program and got back to getting ready to play. He still had the passion, he still had the desire and the father of two had the support of his family, especially wife Jessica, to return to playing the game he loves.
Nobody is sure what kind of player MacArthur is going to be. He’s missed two years of hockey. The magic isn’t going to return right away and through two periods, he had played 7:34. It’s just nice to see him on the ice again and the hope is he’ll be able to stay healthy.
Retirement will have to wait.
He’s such a great person, a great leader, he’s a heart-and-soul guy . ... It’s a happy day for him.