Konstantinov still hopes to play again
Posted: Friday May 29, 1998 11:13 PM
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Konstantinov, who last joined his Detroit teammates for a White House ceremony in January, is expected to visit Red Wings practice Saturday (Nic WassAllsport) |
DETROIT (AP) -- Detroit defenseman Vladimir Konstantinov, rehabilitating from a head injury suffered in a limousine accident last June, still dreams of returning to the Red Wings, his wife says.
"He's absolutely sure he will do it, and I'm supporting him," Irina Konstantinov said in an interview with the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation. "I think it's great."
Konstantinov was injured six days after the Red Wings won the Stanley Cup. He remains in a wheelchair and needs assistance walking.
"I don't know what to say," his wife said when asked whether she believes he will make the recovery he needs to be an NHL player again. "You know what -- I wish."
The interview was aired Friday night between the first and second periods of the Red Wings' Game 3 against the Dallas Stars in the Western Conference finals. Red Wings trainer John Wharton has said that Konstantinov, who spent the winter in Florida undergoing rehabilitation, is scheduled to visit Joe Louis Arena Saturday afternoon for the Red Wings' practice.
Konstantinov is eager to return to the arena and visit with his teammates, Ms. Konstantinov said. She said she and her husband were touched by the fact that the team has kept his locker in game condition and adorned with mementos, including a good-luck rock with "believe" written upon it.
"The first time we saw it, we had tears in our eyes," she said. "That really gives us a great feeling."
Ms. Konstantinov said her husband is making a lot of progress. Konstantinov did not talk during the interview, but Ms. Konstantinov said she has no trouble communicating with him.
"Vlady's very much willing to communicate and let us know what he needs," she said. "Mostly he speaks Russian, which makes it difficult for nurses who work with him and therapists. He is so willing to do a lot of work and participating during the therapies that really nobody has problems."
She said she is glad that their family spent the winter in Florida, saying being able to go outside helped with his recovery.
"It's been a pretty wonderful winter for us," she said, adding that she has been impressed by the support they have received from the players and by team owner Mike Ilitch.
"Without their help, a lot of things would be really hard on us these days," she said. "They pretty much do anything Vlady needs."
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