Too painful to let go

That is the reason Rob DiMaio said in Monday's paper he does not want to retire, and though he will sit out next season wants to play in 2008-09. Hockey has been his life. He still feels like he has some years left in him and does not want to go out because of an injury. But what an injury: a concussion last September from a cheap shot from Montreal's Guillaume Latendresse that bounced DiMaio's head off the side boards.

As a side note, Doug Janik earned some points that night for going after Latendresse, though Mike Komisarek stepped in to fight Janik, who held his own against a tough guy.   

DiMaio, 39, has played 18 seasons. He's gritty and tough and I like him personally. But after listening to him describe his testing last week at the University of Pittsburgh and how his long- and short-term memory is worse than it was the last time he was tested, it could only be described as scary.

DiMaio, who sat out all last season and is an unrestricted free agent, will always have a place in Tampa's heart because of his history with the team. He has a great wife and twin 8-year-old daughters. He said his quality of life with them has been affected. And yet he still wants to play. Let's hope he takes one of the offers he said he has to work in hockey operations for an NHL team. The quality time with his family, at this point in his career, is way more important.

By the way, nice to be back after some time off. 

Comments

[Randy]

It is indeed unfortunate that DiMaio cannot go out on his own terms. But PCS is nothing to be taken lightly. I would hope that for his own benefit and that of his family he will let it go. He still can have a long life ahead of him, but just not in hockey as a player.

I would hope that any team that would think of signing him next year would have him undergo a complete neurological exam and review the treatment records of his doctor in Pittsburg. But the way it sounds, no doctor in his right mind would declare him able to play.

I would imagine the hardest thing for an athlete of any sport is to have to give it up. But DiMaio is going to have to do that hard thing for his own good.

[Cathy]

If Rob wants to have any quality of life, he needs to stay off the rink. Those little girls need their father. The deterioration in his status is a very strong indication that his health has not improved.

[Mike13]

Glad to have you back Damian. I think Eduardo did a good job on the Janik and Ouellet stories while you were on vacation. Too bad he didn't post anything new on the blog site.

[Mike13]

I take that last part back. He did post the Janik topic. Alright, he did a good job all around.

[Debbie]

I agree with Cathy.

I personally love Robbie, and if her were well, I'd love to see him play again, but he does have to put life ahead of hockey.

He'll always have a special place in my heart.

[Nan]

The toughest thing for anyone playing a sport professionally is making that decision to walk away from it when they need to whether they are injured, too old or just have had enough. At the age of 39 even if he weren't hurt, he would have a tough time getting any team to take him. How many players out there are older than 39? He needs to take care of his family and look at those job offers. He can still be involved with hockey for the rest of his life if he wants, just at a different level.

[JB]

Definitely time to retire, and I'm sure that after a week or so he will accept that and take another job. It's a shame that these things happen in Hockey, but it comes with the territory of being a physical sport. Some hits will come late, and some will be a bit too much. He is a solid player that has nothing to hang his head about. I hope the memory thing improves. I can't think of anything worse to lose after 18 years of great Hockey.

[Tim A]

I know the feeling of not wanting to let go because of deep and respectful love of the game. But, please Rob, think it over pal, yor family and your quality life are much more important than just a sports profession. There are many other great things that are awaiting a quality person such as yourself.

[Lightning rod]

My wife has PCS from a car accident, and she is about the same age as DiMaio. We are 9 months into it and no changes are in sight. The headaches and memory issues are something you can't describe. You have to see and feel it to really understand. I think that I understand some of where DiMiao is. He feels trapped, as my wife does. Also, his family is trapped by the situation, as he can't safely do most of the normal things that we all take for granted (drive), nor at times can he be around his kids playing (to loud). The coffee grinder in the morning can be to much. His hope is to play again, but he knows that his life has probably been changed forever. PCS effects people in different ways. Some can keep an active conversation going, and seem fine. However, ask them to remember 3 things (pencil, sheep, glass) during an on-going conversation; and then 30-60 seconds later ask them what the 3 things are. The difficulty and struggle they have trying to recall those 3 things is astounding. 2 of 3 is considered to be good, if they remember them 3 or 4 times during a 3 to 5 minute conservation.

Rob DiMaio has always been a character guy, and well liked by fans and players. He has always been able to give more than his set of skills would seem to allow. As a hockey fan, I greatly admire him for that. He is trying to survive his current PCS situation; and he has the hope that he will get his life back to the way it was. Playing hockey again is one of those things that he is holding on to. People recover from severe PCS; and I for one hope that he does. Without hope what do any of us have, let alone someone with PCS. To us, his desire to play again seems unrealistic; but to Rob DiMaio it is more than we can ever understand. I intend to keep he and his family in my thoughts and prayers; and that he fully recovers. His hope to play again is something that I cannot or will not judge, that's for him and his family.

[SarasotaBill]

L Rod, My best to your wife in hopes of a speedy recovery.

About 2 years ago my brother in law had a work accident which resulted in him suffering PCS. It was nearly a year before things started to clear up. 6 months ago he was cleared to drive and recently went back to work. I watched he and my sister go through it so I understand what you and your wife are facing. Most people fully recover but it can take a lot of time. Be patient and keep the faith!

My best to both of you!