Former Maple Leaf Ondrej Kase eyeing NHL return after brain injury
The former member of the Toronto Maple Leafs Ondrej Kase is eyeing a return in the NHL, two years after suffering from a massive brain injury.
Following a 14 goals and 13 assists tally in 50 games with the Leafs back in the 2021-22 season, Ondrej Kase signed a contract with the Carolina Hurricanes. Unfortunately, things didn't went well for him.
In his first game with the Canes, he was forced to leave after a head injury. Kase already suffered multiple concussions in his career, and this one was one too many. He never returned to the Canes' line up, and eventually left North America to join his brother David, another former Maple Leaf, in Czechia, his home country.
He ended up returning to hockey in the 2023-24 season. In 48 games with the Litvinov HC, he scored 54 points.
In a recent interview with The Athletic's Chris Johnston, Kase opened up about the past year and his health.
Here's what he said:
Later, he was asked to open up about a potential return to the NHL, and as you'll see, he doesn't look like someone who wants to pursue his career in Europe:
Kase is currently representing Czechia at the Mens' World Championship and he impressed many people on the ice; scoring five points in six games, including that goal on a penalty shot:
Do you think Ondrej Kase will sign a contract in the NHL this summer?
Source: The Athletic - Ondřej Kaše's path to NHL comeback looks clear 2 years after neurological issues derailed career
| POLL | ||
MAI 20 | 116 ANSWERS Former Maple Leaf Ondrej Kase eyeing NHL return after brain injury Do you think Ondrej Kase will sign a contract in the NHL this summer? | ||
| Yes | 69 | 59.5 % |
| No | 47 | 40.5 % |
| LIST OF POLLS | ||
| G | A | PTS | ||
| Jason Robertson | 1 | 2 | 3 | |
| Chandler Stephenson | - | 3 | 3 | |
| Sebastian Aho | 1 | 1 | 2 | |
| Jalen Chatfield | 1 | 1 | 2 | |
| Mikael Granlund | 1 | 1 | 2 | |
| Roope Hintz | 1 | 1 | 2 | |
| Wyatt Johnston | 1 | 1 | 2 | |
| Brandon Montour | 1 | 1 | 2 | |
| William Nylander | 1 | 1 | 2 | |
| Mitch Marner | - | 2 | 2 | |
| Jaden Schwartz | - | 2 | 2 | |
| John Tavares | - | 2 | 2 | |
| Jamie Benn | 1 | - | 1 | |
| Evgeny Dadonov | 1 | - | 1 | |
| Yanni Gourde | 1 | - | 1 | |
| Pontus Holmberg | 1 | - | 1 | |
| Fraser Minten | 1 | - | 1 | |
| Ryan Poehling | 1 | - | 1 | |
| Jack Roslovic | 1 | - | 1 | |
| Daniel Sprong | 1 | - | 1 | |
| Complete stats | ||||
| STANDINGS 2024-2025 | ||||||
TOP 10 | GP | W | L | OL | PTS | |
Jets | 19 | 16 | 3 | - | 32 | |
Hurricanes | 18 | 14 | 4 | - | 28 | |
Capitals | 18 | 13 | 4 | 1 | 27 | |
Wild | 18 | 12 | 3 | 3 | 27 | |
Maple Leafs | 20 | 12 | 6 | 2 | 26 | |
Devils | 21 | 12 | 7 | 2 | 26 | |
Rangers | 17 | 12 | 4 | 1 | 25 | |
Panthers | 19 | 12 | 6 | 1 | 25 | |
Stars | 18 | 12 | 6 | - | 24 | |
Golden Knights | 19 | 11 | 6 | 2 | 24 | |
| Conference | Cumulative | ||||||