Screencap: YouTube/Sportsnet
Washington Capitals linebacker Martin Fairvari announced back on April 27 that he will not play for the Slovakian national team at the IIHF World Championships this year. The announcement came as somewhat of a surprise, as Vihervary has been a regular in the national team, dating back to his stint on the junior national teams in 2015-16.
While Vejhervary’s absence from the Slovakian national team at this year’s World Championships was a bit surprising, his reasons for missing the tournament were not specifically detailed at the time, as he simply said he needed to rest.
The 23-year-old missed 15 matches due to injury last season, with the majority of matches taking place in December.
This is the blow Martin Fairfare was dealt by winger Milan Lucic in the second half. Fehervary left the ice immediately afterwards and never returned. pic.twitter.com/7sXtoojK7n
– Matt Weyrich (@ByMattWeyrich) December 4, 2022
“A lot of people don’t know exactly what it was like. I didn’t want to decide anything before the tournament. I’ve been having problems with my back, with my discs, and my thighs have been bothering me all season,” Ferrari said in a recent interview with Dennik Sport.
“I thought I wasn’t going to finish until the last game of the ice hockey regular season. I was in so much pain that I couldn’t bend forward. That’s why I’m rated I’m going to skip this year’s tournament and pull myself together,” added Vervary.
Ferrvary also said he dealt with an elbow injury during the season, but it was not a major injury. “Something was going through the year, but it wasn’t a big deal. I had a brace on my elbow, but that didn’t restrain me.”
Fehervary has taken time away from the game since the Capitals 2022-23 campaign concluded in mid-April. He spent time traveling with his girlfriend and returned to his favorite hobby of fishing.
Fehervary appears to have fully recovered from his injuries and is fully rested and ready for the 2023-24 season. He started rehearsals earlier this week.
Martin Ferrari’s vacation is over. # the capper [@coach_mato] pic.twitter.com/P4t3nGHE1O
– Capitals Horizons (@jon_m_sorensen) June 8, 2023
Fehervary is a restricted free agent (RFA) this summer, but said he and his agent have been in discussions about a new deal with the Capitals.
“So far, we haven’t communicated at all, and the club’s management hasn’t heard anything from them yet. Last year something started, but we haven’t gotten to it yet. The contract could be shorter, but I have no idea how much and for how long,” he said. Ferrari. “I am a restricted free agent and my rights are very low. I think I am doing well and they are very happy with me at the club. I think we will find a way together.”
Fehrvary added: “I am very happy in Washington. I have many friends there even outside of hockey. I know many people from the administration, I feel comfortable there.
Written by John Sorensen