Jason Spezza speaks about his successful appeal, his bout with COVID-19
The last couple of weeks have been a rollercoaster for veteran Leafs forward Jason Spezza. First, with his suspension, then with his successful appeal, and finally testing positive for COVID-19.
On Monday, following Leafs practice, Spezza spoke with the media about how he managed his bout with COVID-19 over the holidays and how his appeal process with NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman had gone.
Spezza was suspended 6 games for a knee on a downed Neal Pionk earlier this month, which certainly seemed stiff for a player with over 1200 games of NHL experience and no prior history, so naturally, an appeal was inevitable.
Spezza had served 4 games of his 6-game suspension before he had a chance to plead his case to Commissioner Bettman. Ultimately, Bettman concluded that Spezza had served enough time to pay his penance for the hit, and cut his suspension off at his 4 games already served.
Spezza revealed on Monday that the appeal process went well, with Bettman treating him with a great deal of respect, befitting of a consummate pro.
"Mr. Bettman was very respectful," Spezza said of his dealings with the long-time league Commissioner. Spezza also acknowledged how difficult of a job George Parros has with the Department of Player Safety, but respectfully declined to reveal any details about his meeting with the DoPS.
Unfortunately for Spezza, mere hours after his suspension was reduced, he had learned that he had tested positive for COVID-19 while on the road. The 38-year-old was certainly let down by the news, but chose to look at the silver-lining. Spezza was out of quarantine in time to spend Christmas with his wife and daughters.
"I guess it was a bit of a blessing that it happened on the road and I wasn't in front of my family," Spezza said. "A whirlwind couple of weeks. Thankful I got to see my family on Christmas morning."
Spezza was also very complimentary of GM Kyle Dubas, owner Larry Tanenbaum and President Brendan Shanahan for doing whatever it took to get he and his teammates in protocol home for the holidays. The veteran forward also revealed that he was asymptomatic and felt fine during isolation.
