Former NHLer Daniel Paille discusses hit that ended his career and court case against Thomas Larkin

Daniel Paille, who played close to 600 regular season games in the NHL, is involved in an off-ice battle this week in a courtroom in Sweden. Paille's professional hockey career was ended in 2017 while he was playing for Brynas IF of the Swedish Hockey League. Paille's team was taking on Adler Mannheim in the Champions Hockey League tournament when he was absolutely blindsided by a huge hit to the head from Thomas Larkin. Check it out:

Larkin received a four game suspension. Paille and Larkin are both in court this week as Paille is seeking monetary compensation for the hit, while a judge is also determining whether Larkin should be convicted of criminal assault. While Larkin will not comment until the court case is over, Paille opened up on the hit and the court case to Sportbladet.

Paille told the court the hit was intentional, something Larkin has denied.

"He did not look at the puck but just straight at me and does nothing to avoid me," said Paille.

Asked how he's feeling four years after the hit, Paille said he's not 100 percent and doctors have told him he never will be again.

"The doctor says that the symptoms will not improve. Now I can only try to control the situation as it is."

Paille told Sportbladet he has had no contact with Larkin over the past four years, other than an email he received.

"Immediately afterwards I heard nothing," he said. "Then there was an apology via email a couple of days after I had issued a public statement. After that I have not heard anything."

Paille said he has no thoughts of playing hockey ever again as it would be impossible, but did say he's able to do some instructing and can get on the ice with his three-year-old son. He lives in Buffalo. The Sabres drafted him 20th overall in 2002 and he spent six years there playing for Buffalo and Rochester.

RELATED: THOMAS LARKIN TAKES STAND AND GIVES HIS SIDE IN HIS TRIAL OVER ENDING DANIEL PAILLE'S CAREER

According to reports, Paille is seeking five million Swedish Krona, or the equivalent of just under $600,000 USD. A judge is expected to make a ruling on that request at the end of this week or next. The hit was definitely a bad one and certainly seems predatory in nature. Whether it warrants a criminal conviction of assault will be up to the judge to determine based on the rules in Sweden where the game took place.

Source: Sportbladet

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