WILMINGTON, Mass. — Steven Kampfer is a bubble boy no more.
The Bruins’ rookie defenseman has been forced to wear a full shield since suffering a broken nose when inadvertently struck in the face by Zdeno Chara‘s stick in a game against Pittsburgh on Jan. 15.
Chara proved on Saturday how much power he can put behind that stick when he broke his own record with a 105.9 mph blast to win his fourth straight Hardest Shot competition during the All-Star festivities in Raleigh, NC. Chara didn’t wind up like that when he clipped Kampfer, but there was still some damage done.
Kampfer originally thought he would need to undergo a surgical procedure over the break to help him breathe, but the swelling subsided enough that he did not need any surgery.
“No procedure, just saw the doctor after the last and we talked about putting the shield back on,” Kampfer said after practice Monday. “He gave me the OK, so as soon as I got back I literally grabbed my helmet and said it was time to put the shield back on. It’s not fun wearing [the full cage]. It’s hard to breathe in, so it was good to put [the half-shield] back on and use it in a practice.”
Kampfer will still wear the visor he had on before the injury to protect his eyes, but he’s happy to ditch the full cage he had been forced to put on, noting that it affected his vision and breathing on the ice.
“It’s a lot different looking out of it,” Kampfer said. “I can actually see the ice better, so I’m excited to put [the half-shield] back on.”
Even without surgery, the time off the ice for the All-Star break did wonders for Kampfer’s nose.
“I think the four days off was definitely a help, just to let it settle and not breathe as hard as what I was on the ice,” Kampfer said. “It’s good to have it off. Obviously the doctor thought it was fine or I wouldn’t have it off.”
Kampfer wasn’t originally scheduled to have this weekend off. He was selected to play in the American Hockey League All-Star Game in Hershey, PA, but was happy to miss the festivities if it meant staying in the NHL. Kampfer was also happy to see old teammate Jamie Arniel added to the game as Providence’s representative to replace him in Monday’s game.
“He should have been an all-star to begin with in my opinion,” Kampfer said of Arniel. “He was our best forward down there and I thought he played exceptionally well. I’m glad he got to go.”
Kampfer wouldn’t be opposed to a little show of appreciation from Arniel though.
“He should probably give me a dinner, at least,” Kampfer joked.
