Leafs Goalie Anthony Stolarz Opens Up About Concussion Following Cheap Shot from Sam Bennett
Photo credit: Kim Klement Netizel - Imagn Images
Leafs goaltender Anthony Stolarz has opened up about the concussion he suffered at the hands of Panthers forward Sam Bennett during the playoffs.
The Toronto Maple Leafs were in good spirits after they defeated the Ottawa Senators in the first round of the playoffs. Their offense clicked when it mattered and Anthony Stolarz did a fine job in between the pipes to set up a rematch with the Florida Panthers.
Unfortunately for Stolarz, that didn't last all that long, after he was forced out of Game 1 due to a concussion he sustained after getting a blow to the head from Sam Bennett. He played the first 30:12 of the game before he was ultimately replaced by Joseph Woll for the remainder of the series.
The Leafs lost the series in 7 games, but Stolarz did return to the lineup ahead of the final game to serve as a backup, relaying that he at least passed concussion protocols.
The hulking netminder detailed the situation on Tuesday and talked about what happened when he was initially hit by Bennett.
"Just an unfortunate incident there. I got hit in the head, and probably about 5-10 minutes after, I started feeling a little woozy and dizzy. I thought it was best for myself and the team to take the right precautions to make sure everything was alright. Things took a little while to get back, but right before Game 6 and Game 7, I started feeling like myself again."
While concussions are nothing to take lightly, Stolarz does mention that he is now 100% healthy and has been training all summer as he is raring to get back on the ice for the start of the 2025-26 season.
"I was able to train, able to skate, and I was on the ice probably 15-20 times this summer with my goalie coach. I've had no symptoms, everything was good, and I was able to go full throttle this summer."
It's going to be a very important season for the pending unrestricted free agent. Extension talks have begun, but nothing is imminent with concerns ranging from his lack of experience, injury history, and potential contract demands.
In any case, Stolarz is healthy and excited to get back on the ice, which is everything the Maple Leafs would have hoped for after another busy off-season.
| POLL | ||
SEPTEMBRE 16 | 1601 ANSWERS Leafs Goalie Anthony Stolarz Opens Up About Concussion Following Cheap Shot from Sam Bennett Would the Leafs' series against Florida have ended any differently if Stolarz wasn't injured? | ||
| Yes | 1409 | 88 % |
| No | 192 | 12 % |
| List of polls | ||
TRENDING NOW
