Last Updated on Sunday, 27 May 2012 18:31
By Andrew Vitalis
Let’s Play Hockey Columnist
Sitting at the Xcel Energy Center last week watching his brother help lead Breck to a boys’ high school state hockey title, Casey Borer could only think of one other place he would rather be – on the ice himself. Unfortunately, that wasn’t an option.
More than 50 games into his second full professional hockey season things changed for Borer. In late February, the team bus, carrying him and his Albany River Rats teammates, flipped onto its side in western Massachusetts. Less than a handful of players were hospitalized stemming from the accident. Not only was Borer one of the players injured, but the former St. Cloud State Husky suffered the most serious injury; a broken neck.
“Our original team bus broke down so we waited in Lowell for two hours. They sent a new bus and driver to pick us up,” remembered Borer. “I was sleeping when it happened. The bus flipped over onto its side and hit a guardrail. Everyone just went flying. Then after we got out of the bus, we had to wait about a half hour for the rescue teams to arrive.
“I think I hit my head on the luggage rack,” continued Borer. “Half of the bus was still on the road so everyone was yelling to get off the bus, people were afraid that the bus was going to get hit by traffic. I just crawled out of the bus and when I got outside, I tried to stand up, but I couldn’t hold my head up. That’s when I pretty much knew something wasn’t right. I just put my coat in the snow and just laid there. At first I just thought it was whiplash. When you hear a broken neck, you think about dying or being paralyzed.”
The end result was a C-5 fracture of the neck, which in simple terms equates to a season-ending injury. Adding to the frustration for Borer is the fact that it’s the second consecutive season where Borer has suffered a season-ending blow. Last March, the Minneapolis native blew out his knee. It’s back to the drawing board – again.
“It’s frustrating, but I try to keep things in perspective. At first, I was kind of like, I’m glad to be walking, glad to be alive,” mentioned Borer. “After awhile, you find yourself getting a little selfish. When that happens, I just try to remember how lucky I am.”
Don’t get him wrong, things could definitely be worse. After going through knee surgery last spring, Borer was finally cleared to play again last July. What followed was a grueling offseason workout, followed by his second NHL training camp in a Carolina Hurricane uniform. Still not fully up to speed, Borer was sent to the Canes AHL affiliate in Albany for the start of his second full season as a pro.
The 6-2, 205-pound defenseman continued to make strides, culminating with his third career NHL call-up in December. In less than five months, Borer had gone from a brace on his knee to the NHL. He’s proven to himself and the organization that he can bounce back from an injury. Now it’s time for Borer to do it again.
“I try and keep that experience in the back of my mind as I go through this,” remarked Borer. “It helps motivate me that’s for sure.”
Adding to the motivation is Borer’s taste of the NHL and his thirst to get back. In 2006-07, after finishing his four-year career with the Huskies, the 2004 third round NHL pick went directly to the Albany for, what he calls it, a one-game try-out. His play was rewarded with a two-year contract.
Then, in the fall of 2007, Borer attended his first NHL training camp, and he did not disappoint. In addition to playing in several exhibition games with the Hurricanes, he made a lasting impression with the organization. After being assigned toAlbany to start the 2007-08 season, on Jan. 1, 2008, Borer kicked off the New Year in grand style. While watching a NHL game on television, Borer received a call from the Canes inviting him to his own NHL party.
“It was kind of a scramble. I think I got the call like two hours before my plane was supposed to leave. All of my gear was at the rink so I had to go there and get it and still try and make my flight,” laughed Borer. “I just tried not to be too much in awe of my surroundings. You try to soak it in as much as you can, but at the same time, you want to show that you belong.”
It didn’t take long for Borer to prove that. Just two days after his first NHL game, Borer scored his first career NHL points onJan. 4, 2008. Playing against Atlanta, Borer first notched an assist, then added his first career NHL goal one period later.
“I remember the puck hit the post and then went in. At first, I thought it was tipped in. Rob Brind’Amour was in front and I thought he got a piece of it, but then I found out he was just there for a screen and he didn’t touch it. He grabbed the puck and gave it to someone who put it in a case for me to keep,” remarked Borer. “It was something I’ll never forget. I remember thinking at the time it was my first goal but I wanted to celebrate like I had been there before.”
Borer played a total of eight games with the Canes during his first call-up, then added three more NHL games to his resume one month later. Now to date, with 14 career NHL games under his belt, the urge to return to that level has left him with plenty of motivation to get healthy again. It worked out before and Borer has no doubt it will work out again.
“For everyone playing in the minors, you never know when your chance might come,” explained Borer. “It always comes down to what they need up there. You just never know. Not being able to play, you find yourself not even being an option. That’s pretty frustrating. For me though, it’s kind of like I’m back to the drawing board again. More or less, I need to re-prove myself. I was able to do it before when I hurt my knee. I just need to keep that in mind as I go through this. It helps motivate me.”
Don’t count him out. After all, his neck may be broken, but his heart is just fine.
