Mark Borowiecki wonders if he has played his final game with the Ottawa Senators.
The 30-year-old defenseman, an Ottawa native, was selected by the Senators in the fifth round (No. 139) of the 2008 NHL Draft and made his NHL debut in 2011-12.
With the NHL season paused since March 12 due to concerns surrounding the coronavirus, and Borowiecki able to become an unrestricted free agent after the season is complete, he's uncertain what the future will hold.
"There's so much up in the air for me this summer," Borowiecki said Thursday. "But a question (about my future), well, it kind of evokes a lot of emotion. I've given everything I've had for this organization. You guys have literally seen me bleed for this team.
"To not be a part of this team would be a difficult change for sure. But we don't know what the future holds. We'll kind of take it as it comes when this is all said and done."
Borowiecki had NHL career highs in goals (seven), assists (11) and points (18) in 53 games this season before he injured his ankle against the Arizona Coyotes on Feb. 13.
Although Borowiecki said he's been "pushing it" without any ill effects, Senators coach D.J. Smith on Wednesday said he wasn't sure if he would be able to play if the season resumes.
"That's a tough one," Smith said. "I talked to [Mark] probably about a week and a half ago and he's doing really well, but in saying that, that kind of injury you need to find out by skating. Without skating, it's tough to tell."
When the Senators left for what would have been a five-game road trip on March 6 (they played three before the season was paused), Borowiecki opted to rehab at home with his wife, Tara, and newborn son, Miles. He said he is relieved about making that decision after five teammates, a staff member, and TSN 1200 broadcaster Gord Wilson tested positive for the coronavirus after being aboard the Senators' Air Canada Jetz charter.
"Obviously, you are bummed out being injured, but looking back now in hindsight, I am very, very thankful and fortunate," Borowiecki said. "At that given time, it kind of seemed like L.A, California, was the epicenter of things in North America. I had that in the back of my mind (with) having actually not (been) on the trip and then coming back and having the guys kind of be exposed and a certain number of them fall ill.
"I was very, very thankful to be here at home. My No. 1 concern and priority in life right now is the health and well-being of Tara and Miles. That trumps everything for me. So I'm very, very thankful."
Borowieki was also thankful that those on the Senators are now feeling better.
"This situation, this virus, it's all so new and there's not a lot known about it," he said. "When it's people you care about like family and they get sick with anything, you're going to be concerned so thankfully, it seems like everybody's on the mend, if not fully healthy. Thank God for that."
