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Two-time NHL all-star Marc Savard finds life after hockey with golf

THUNDER BAY – At the time, Marc Savard did not know Jan. 23, 2011 would be the last time he would play in a National Hockey League game.
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(Leith Dunick, tbnewswatch.com)

THUNDER BAY – At the time, Marc Savard did not know Jan. 23, 2011 would be the last time he would play in a National Hockey League game.

But the former Boston Bruins forward had his career come to an end after a jarring hit resulted in his second severe concussion in as many years.

While that door closed, the 37-year-old has found another one open for him.

The two-time NHL All-Star, who suited up for the Bruins, Atlanta Thrashers, Calgary Flames and New York Rangers during a 14-season career, will hit the links this weekend at the Staal Foundation Open, which gets underway with the first round at the Whitewater Golf Course on Thursday.

“It’s filled a huge void for me to be able to compete on a certain level,” Savard said before the start of the celebrity pro-am on Monday.
“It’s a different competition but it’s very void filling. I’m definitely enjoying it and I hope to keep doing it for a long time.”

Savard, who netted 207 goals and 706 points in 807 career regular season NHL contests, received a sponsor’s exemption from organizers of the tournament to compete this weekend, as did Hall of Fame goaltender Grant Fuhr.

This will be Savard’s second Mackenzie Tour – PGA Tour Canada event after taking part in a tournament in Winnipeg last year and he’s looking to show he belongs in the field by making it past the weekend cut.

Savard was best known for his playmaking ability during his time on the ice and hopes those tools translate to the golf course.

“I think the hand-eye, the vision being around the greens and having that good touch are my strengths. I put a lot of time and practice in. I have a great wife and kids that let me enjoy it and do it a lot,” he said

“It’s exciting for me. I love golf and I’ve played very competitively for a couple of years.”

Savard tees off at 2 p.m. on Thursday alongside Thunder Bay’s Jeff Hunter and Justin Shin of Maple Ridge, B.C.

 





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