Kirby Dach confirms the rumor about him: it was indeed true

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David St-Jean
September 22, 2024 (1:42 PM)

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Kirby Dach is back on the ice with his teammates after missing 80 games last year and not playing a professional match for nearly a year.

For him, training camp is very significant, and he isn't taking anything for granted. He knows he has a spot to earn and is approaching camp with determination.

"I had a great summer, and now I'm showing up to camp almost trying to prove myself again and show that I can be an impactful player on this team, helping us win some games and playing important matches towards the end of the season."

- Kirby Dach

At the end of last year, Dach was back in training and even traveled with his teammates on the final trip of the season. There were expectations that he would return at that time, but he ultimately did not.

Many journalists, including Renaud Lavoie, noted that Dach was ready, but the organization didn't want to take any risks. If the team had qualified for the playoffs, it might have been different.

"Last year was very long, and I feel good mentally and physically. I felt ready to play games at the end of last year even though I hadn't received the green light from the doctors."

- Kirby Dach

Not only was it not worth the risk of injuring him at the end of a lost season, but the Canadiens also had to comply with the condition set by the doctor who performed Dach's surgery.

That doctor specified he would only operate if the return to play was at least 8 months later. So, it's understandable why the organization listened to him.