Hašek looks to return (that didn't take long)

[shadow47 1]

By Frantisek Bouc

Staff Writer, The Prague Post

August 20th, 2008 issue

http://www.praguepost.com/articles/2008/08...s-to-return.php

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Czech hockey legend Dominik Hasek may soon be able to confirm the old "third time's a charm" axiom.

The forty-three year old goalie retired in June after helping the NHL's Detroit Red Wings capture the Stanley Cup. "My body is still ready, but I lack motivation," Hasek told reporters in Detroit at the time.

Once back in Prague, however, he succumbed to second thoughts.

Make that third thoughts: In the summer of 1999 he summoned TV crews to a Prague news conference where the great Czech goalie announced he was preparing for his last NHL campaign. Hasek said his decision was final and that he called the conference in order to avoid speculation throughout the season. But he missed a number of games due to a groin injury, so he continued to play.

The next summer, he left Buffalo for the Detroit Red Wings and dedicated himself to winning the Stanley Cup. After bringing home the trophy in 2002, Hasek called another end to his career. Yet once again, he decided on a comeback.

Now he's considering a third.

"It won't be in the upcoming season for sure," Hasek says, "but I cannot rule out that I could start playing again later."

He insists, though, that another season on the NHL circuit is out of the question. "I don't want to talk about it at the moment," he explains. "It's clear, however, that I wouldn't go to the NHL. If I were to return, I would play with a Czech team."

Following his most recent retirement, Hasek returned to Prague in order to focus on the management of Dominator, the sportswear company he launched in 1998. But after just two weeks on the job, he closed down the firm's European opperation under mounting financial debt -- hinting, though, that he might reopen operations in the future.

The man known as The Dominator sees nothing wrong with this kind of career back and forth. "When reaching such a triumph [the Stanley Cup], one's motivation naturally lowers," he points out. "At the time, I simply had a feeling that I would hardly be able to keep a 100 percent focus -- and so I decided to quit."

"I'll see what's going to happen in one or two years," he adds. "I always base my decisions on my feelings."

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Dom will stay in great shape with his biking and trainer Bruk and would be a novelty in the KHL which should be booming in another season or any Czech team. Can you say 2010 Olympics?

Edited August 28, 2008 by shadow47

[Opie 308]

As long as he can play in a league some where why not, KHL or Czech league. Good for him, if they want to pay him he would be another name for the KHL!

[Reds4Life 51]

He might end his career in Pardubice..he started his career there.

[Doggy 130]

This is funny. The other day I was talking to someone saying the upside of the way the playoffs shaped up was that Dom wouldn't be tempted to come back because he's just not as good as he was when he retired previously.

Edited August 29, 2008 by Doggy

[ShanahanMan 473]

send him to LA

[GMRwings1983 8,803]

If this is true, the boy who cried wolf has gone too far this time. He's starting to remind me of a punch drunk boxer who doesn't know when to stop.

Problem is, he's not that good anymore, and ended the last 2 seasons with nothing left to give.

[SouthernWingsFan 854]

Why not, if he still thinks he has it and can keep in shape physically, give it a go so he doesn't question or regret whether he could have played some more years and years down the road. While I am definitely not even going to come close to expect it, imagine if he actually made the Czech Republic roster for the upcoming Winter Olympics. That'd be insane.

[Kira 451]

He won't come back to the NHL, but hey, if the fire is still burning inside him, and he wants to play in Europe, more power to him. You can't keep a good man down.

[Booster313 138]

I am all for it.....obviously!

[Earthhuman 8]

Looks like Puckloo is going from Texas to Paradubice.

[vangvace 12]

lol

[puckloo39 5,686]

Dom has said that he is done with the NHL but not done with the business of hockey. Take from that statement whatever you wish.

Personally, I believe he can still play and would have been fine in the playoffs if he had gotten another chance. No one needs to lose any sleep over Hasek coming back here. If circumstances warranted such a move, the Red Wings could certainly do a lot worse than Hasek in the nets again.

* It's Pardubice, by the way. And no, I have no interest in going there.

[Holmstrom96Screens 0]

Jiminy H. Cricket, how much do that man change his mind or think about changin his mind lol

I remember when he retired the first time then came back.

i didn't say it but when he retired again this year after winning the cup again I never said it but I was still thinkin' 'bye, see ya again in a couple of months'

Edited August 29, 2008 by Holmstrom96Screens

[Booster313 138]

Dom has said that he is done with the NHL but not done with the business of hockey. Take from that statement whatever you wish.

Personally, I believe he can still play and would have been fine in the playoffs if he had gotten another chance. No one needs to lose any sleep over Hasek coming back here. If circumstances warranted such a move, the Red Wings could certainly do a lot worse than Hasek in the nets again.

* It's Pardubice, by the way. And no, I have no interest in going there.

But we will buy giant satellite dishes so we can watch the KHL at 3am everynight right Loo????

[puckloo39 5,686]

But we will buy giant satellite dishes so we can watch the KHL at 3am everynight right Loo????

of course!

I would love to see Dom kick butt in the Czech league or KHL. Either would be lucky to get him in any capacity, he's still capable of playing at an elite level.

[The Noodle 39 14]

of course!

I would love to see Dom kick butt in the Czech league or KHL. Either would be lucky to get him in any capacity, he's still capable of playing at an elite level.

Ditto!

I'm a person who does not accept change very well and if there is a way to watch The Dominator in net again then i'm all for it!! Our sports heroes are leaving all too fast and i hate it!

I miss watching Yzerman, Hull, Dan Marino, Joe Montanna, Reggie Miller, Cal Ripken Jr, etc. Legendary players like these come only once.. Luckily the NHL has young players i like and are still good role models but other sports it's far and few between.

[sergei_is_still_a_wing 1]

as long as he never sees ice time on an NHL rink again, i'm cool with it.

BUT, i am more than fed up with players retiring then un retiring. Salanne, Neidermeyer, Jordan, Seau, Favre. Jesus where does it end.

I for one am all for forcing players in all 4 major sports to sign a legally binding contract, stating that no man who has officially and undeniably retired shall ever play in that major sport ever again. End of story. None of this, "oh, i was forced into retirement by my team. I wasn't sure so i just said i was retired. I needed the rest cus i'm old."

bulls***. This would force players to really evaluate whether or not they want to give up the game forever. And i guarantee you they would not make the mistake of retiring early. if you even have doubts of giving it up when you know/think you could still be competitive, give it a shot. or don't. but no more of the string along BS. after favre, i'm sick of it...

[Kp-Wings 3]

If he really wanted to come back to the NHL, I'm sure some bottom feeder team would take a chance on him, using some oft-overused statement like "veteran leadership!" or "playoff experience!", even though most of those phrases usually apply to dinosaurs that are far past contributing anything.

His best choice is the KHL; their taking applications from former NHL players in floods, and I'm sure in their mind that, they feel, it'd help their reputation as a league to sign a HOF bound goaltender from the NHL.

Edited August 29, 2008 by Kp-Wings

[redwings1914 18]

Call now to get ESPN 8 THE OCHO featuring live poker guys eating at the buffet and tape delayed KHL ACTION!!!!!!!

[arnoldbuck 0]

Dom has said that he is done with the NHL but not done with the business of hockey. Take from that statement whatever you wish.

Personally, I believe he can still play and would have been fine in the playoffs if he had gotten another chance. No one needs to lose any sleep over Hasek coming back here. If circumstances warranted such a move, the Red Wings could certainly do a lot worse than Hasek in the nets again.

* It's Pardubice, by the way. And no, I have no interest in going there.

I knew you would chime in! I was almost worried not to see you round' anymore. Haha.

In regards to Dom. Always loved the guy. His time in Detroit was unreal. He may play, but if it does happen, and many have said, I would foresee it in Euroland.

[VM1138 1,921]

He could hack in in Europe, but he's done in the NHL. He admitted he has no motivation left, so why would anyone sign him here?

[CUJO#31 0]

Doesn't he have to beat up a few punks in a roller hockey game before he can make a decision like this again?!?!

Jus sayin...

[dallas27 7]

I can see The Dominator at least being the back-up for the next Olympics, it is only a year and some odd months away.

I would say I can see him at least being the goalie coach...but then I found myself scratching my head as would the other goaltenders when Dom is trying to explain how to make a certain save Goalie #2308439: "Dom, just go out and do it yourself"

[SouthernWingsFan 854]

as long as he never sees ice time on an NHL rink again, i'm cool with it.

BUT, i am more than fed up with players retiring then un retiring. Salanne, Neidermeyer, Jordan, Seau, Favre. Jesus where does it end.

I for one am all for forcing players in all 4 major sports to sign a legally binding contract, stating that no man who has officially and undeniably retired shall ever play in that major sport ever again. End of story. None of this, "oh, i was forced into retirement by my team. I wasn't sure so i just said i was retired. I needed the rest cus i'm old."

bulls***. This would force players to really evaluate whether or not they want to give up the game forever. And i guarantee you they would not make the mistake of retiring early. if you even have doubts of giving it up when you know/think you could still be competitive, give it a shot. or don't. but no more of the string along BS. after favre, i'm sick of it...

Who are we to tell players when to quit? If players feel like they still got gas in the tank physically and can contribute like they are used to, play for as long as you can. I know I'd try to do the same thing. It is up to the business/franchises to tell these guys "NO" if they want to keep coming back or come back during the midseason, not the players themselves or the fans.

[sergei_is_still_a_wing 1]

Who are we to tell players when to quit? If players feel like they still got gas in the tank physically and can contribute like they are used to, play for as long as you can. I know I'd try to do the same thing. It is up to the business/franchises to tell these guys "NO" if they want to keep coming back or come back during the midseason, not the players themselves or the fans.

I agree with your statement 100%. That is not the point i was trying to make. Players should be aloud to play as long as they'd like if a team will pick them up. What i have an issue with is players retiring and un-retiring down the line. It leaves teams in limbo and is unfair both to that organization and others within the sport who may be affected by it. Retire: you are done for life in that league. End of story. By all means go all Gordie howe on your sport and play til your 60. I dont have a problem with that. But when you say you're done, you should be DONE. it will force them to make a real decision the first time around.