Mattias Ohlund Injury: Swedish Defenseman's Career In Doubt After Knee Surgery

DALLAS - SEPTEMBER 21: Defenseman Mattias Ohlund #5 of the Tampa Bay Lightning celebrates his goal against the Dallas Stars during a preseason game at American Airlines Center on September 21 2010 in Dallas Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)

Tampa Bay Lightning's Mattias Ohlund suffered a major knee injury and had major surgery in February, and there are some concerns that his NHL career could be over.

Tampa Bay Lighting defenseman Mattias Ohlund underwent major knee surgery in February and is taking on the tough task of trying to rehab and continue his NHL career. There are some concerns, however, that Ohlund's injury could be career threatening, and he may never get back on the ice, according to The Tampa Bay Times.

Letha Griffin, an orthopedic surgeon at Atlanta's Piedmont Hospital and a spokeswoman for the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, said Ohlund faces a "daunting task."

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Griffin stressed that her assessment is a generality. Any recovery "depends on the individual circumstances," she said, but "it would be a daunting task after partial joint replacement to play at a pro level."

Ohlund admitted that there are times where he does wonder if he'll be able to ever play professional hockey again.

"I have to, for my own peace of mind, give myself a chance to do this," Ohlund told The Tampa Bay Times. "I'd like to play again. I don't know if it's going to happen, but I hope so."

"When you're younger, I might have looked at guys my age and in my situation and said, 'Why does he not just quit?'" Ohlund told Damian Cristodero on Friday. "But when you get older, you realize this is truly a blessing to be in this game ... I want to give myself another chance to play, and I'm hoping that's going to happen, but who knows?"

For more on the Tampa Bay Lightning and Ohlund's injury, visit SB Nation's Lighting blog Raw Charge and SB Nation Tampa Bay.