RALEIGH, N.C. — Kaiden Guhle has a scar about four inches long on his right leg, a permanent reminder of what he describes as “definitely the scariest moment” of his life.
The 23-year-old Canadiens player experienced this terrifying event during a game against the Winnipeg Jets on January 28. Falling awkwardly in the third period of the 4-1 loss, he didn`t initially grasp the severity of his injury. He knew he had lost his footing, crashed into the boards, and his left skate had sliced into his right quadriceps.
Beyond the immediate pain, Guhle felt a pressing need for urgent medical attention.
“These things happen quickly, and in the moment, you’re not fully aware of what’s happening,” Guhle explained on Friday, shortly after playing his first game since surgery two months prior. “Considering what occurred, it was the best possible outcome – no nerve or artery damage. But in that instant, you`re unaware of the extent. It was frightening. I hope to never experience that again, and I wouldn`t wish it on anyone.”
The accident itself was one ordeal, but the uncertainty surrounding the potential severity of the injury was another layer of fear.
Guhle visibly shuddered as he recounted the incident on Friday.
“I looked at my leg, and I can’t repeat what I said when I saw it,” Guhle admitted. “I knew it was serious.”
The potential for a severed femoral artery, which could have been fatal, added to the anxiety during the ambulance ride to the hospital.
“In the ambulance, as they prepared me for transport, their main concern was stopping the bleeding, as they couldn`t immediately determine if an artery had been cut,” Guhle recalled. “I was unsure at the time, but once we arrived at the hospital and they confirmed the bleeding was under control, I felt much more confident that I would recover.”
Following successful surgery, the initial recovery timeline was estimated at three to four months.
A best-case scenario of eight to ten weeks was mentioned, although Guhle considered this optimistic early on.
“For a while, it felt like my progress plateaued, and improvement stalled,” he said. “Then, suddenly, I turned a corner and was back in the gym, regaining my strength and doing the necessary work.”
Guhle started lower body workouts four weeks post-surgery, and skating followed a week later. After rejoining full practice before the Canadiens` four-game road trip on Monday, he played 19:07 in Friday’s game against the Hurricanes.
“The medical staff and trainers did an incredible job in my recovery and strength rehabilitation,” Guhle praised. “Thankfully, my recovery was much faster than anticipated.”
Despite the quicker recovery, Guhle still missed 21 games.
This injury break was among several extended periods off-ice for the Edmonton native since being drafted by the Canadiens in 2016. Previous setbacks include head injuries limiting him to 70 games last season and ankle and knee injuries sidelining him for 38 games during his rookie year.
However, this injury felt different – a freak accident he won`t soon forget.
His leg scar will serve as a constant reminder.
While the scar will fade over time, Guhle hopes this incident is his last major hockey mishap as he finishes this season and begins his six-year, $33.3-million contract with the Canadiens, signed last summer.
While nothing is guaranteed, Guhle is taking extra precautions by wearing a cut-resistant bodysuit under his gear, hoping to minimize future risks.
Tristan Blackwood