Fabbri stays positive following injury
by Neate Sager, Yahoo! Sports:
Robby Fabbri put his best spin on the high ankle sprain that ended his world junior tournament.
The 18-year-old St. Louis Blues first-rounder has faced questions his entire career about his durability, due to being on the small side. That came to the fore on Friday, when he sustained a high right ankle sprain after checking Denmark defenceman Anders Krogsgaard on his first shift of the game. There was an instant reaction that the Mississauga, Ont., native would miss the rest of the WJC.
“It’s been pretty tough but I still have a smile on my face when I’m coming to the rink every day,” the 5-foot-10 Fabbri said on Sunday, ahead of Canada’s semifinal against Slovakia. “The guys, I’m supporting them, make sure I don’t bring anyone down. I’m happy to be here; happy to support the guys.
“I tried to finish my check and my leg got tangled up there and somehow my leg was behind me, almost touching my head,” Fabbri added. “It was an unfortunate play and there’s nothing you can do about it.”
Coincidentally, it’s the second time in five years that a skilled centre fresh off being drafted by the Blues has been injured during the WJC. Jaden Schwartz was also hurt during the 2011 world junior tournament. Fabbri said Schwartz and some of the Blues staff sent him supportive messages.
Fabbri, whom the Blues were able to nab at No. 21 overall in the draft due to concerns about his size, sustained a knee injury while playing in a NHL preseason game. That kept him from making his season debut with the Guelph Storm until Oct. 17, but he came back with a strong seven-week stretch to sew up a spot at the selection camp.
