In Wake of Wentz Injury, Gostisbehere Looks Back on His Own ACL Recovery

There is really nothing that could take the attention off of Eagles quarterback Carson Wentz and the injury that officially ended his season on Sunday afternoon. In the Flyers locker room, one player even has a personal connection with the injury.

It was three seasons ago that Shayne Gostisbehere was brought to the NHL for his debut, played in two games and returned to the minors. It was shortly after his return that he suffered a torn ACL in a game with the Phantoms that required surgery and ended his season.

With another of Philadelphia’s young star athletes about to undergo the same surgery, Gostisbehere reflected on his own.

“It was definitely the worst injury I’ve ever been through,” Gostisbehere said following practice on Monday. “You know it’s going to be a long-term injury, so it weighs on you, mentally. Obviously, I saw it and I hope for the best for him. I mean, the rehab is really grueling. It’s ups and downs. Some days you’re going to feel great and feel like you’re ahead of the game, and other days you’re going to feel like you’re never going to get better.”

Gostisbehere returned to the ice in time for Flyers development camp the following summer and his skating was a primary focus. His mobility certainly looked good for coming off a major surgery such as this, and he carried that over into the season.

When he was called up by the Flyers in November of 2015, there was no turning back. He scored 17 goals, recorded 46 points and was a Calder Trophy finalist that year.

It’s expected that Wentz’s surgery will be performed by the same doctor who worked on Gostisbehere three years ago, Dr. Peter DeLuca.

“Overall, he’s going to have the best care in the world,” Gostisbehere said. “He’s going to have the best doctor in Dr. DeLuca, so obviously you hope for the best and hopefully it’s not that bad.”

As for the personal experience of dealing with the injury, Gostisbehere said he would be willing to talk to Wentz if he wanted the perspective.

“If he wanted to talk to me about the injury, sure,” Gostisbehere said. “Mine was about three years ago, and I think technology has come a little ways, but if he ever wanted to talk to me, I’d love to talk to him.”