GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. -- Mitch Callahan has been a walking game of Operation over the past three seasons.
He went viral in April of 2014 after posting a picture of the aftermath of taking a puck to the mouth during a game against the Iowa Wild. (WARNING: still pretty graphic two years later.) That puck broke Callahan's jaw and knocked out ten of his teeth.
He missed all of the 2015 Calder Cup Playoffs after tearing his ACL last February, then took another puck to the mouth in a practice in December -- losing another tooth and missing more time.
Finally, Callahan is enjoying a streak of good health -- just in time for the Griffins' fourth straight playoff trip.
"It's part of the game," Callahan said with a laugh at practice on Thursday. "I was told 'Bad luck comes in threes.' Three times in three years, I've had surgeries -- so I'm hoping I'm healthy and hoping for a long, healthy career without injuring any of that stuff again."
With 32 points in 58 games this season, Callahan hopes to pair his regular season success with that good health for a postseason run.
"I'm excited to go on the journey with these guys and see what we can do."
Highlights courtesy of GriffVision
