PHERSY:Well, I was able to talk to coach Fatis today before he left for Thanksgiving break over in Mankato.
And I received some bad news.
Second-year forward Jason Rein has left the Ice Hawks. According to Fatis, Rein said he was in constant pain, including his neck. The overall aches and pains got to be too much, so Rein decided to hang up his skates, Fatis said.
It's too bad. Rein was a solid player, a guy who improved a great deal in the offseason. He had been going through a little slump in recent weeks, but Rein was still a very productive player for the Ice Hawks, and he'll no doubt be missed.
Rein had dressed for 17 games so far this season, and had 20 points, including eight goals and 12 assists.
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I'm sure all Ice Hawks fans wish Rein well in whatever his future may bring.
I guess the one good thing is that this should clear the way for the return of Shawn Wick, who has been skating with the team in recent weeks. Wick has been recovering from an injury, but it sounds like he might skate in Saturday's game at the Rec Center against the Northern Lights. Wick will immediately be one of the fastest skaters in the league, and he's very skilled. He's a top-two line forward who will be expected to put up loads of points ... and from the sounds of it, he's been doing very well in practice lately and has gained a lot of respect from his teammates.
With Rein gone, Ricky Litchfield will see more time at the point on the power play (along with Bryce Stevens, who obviously has thrived this season in that role, putting up 35 points in 20 games).
The Ice Hawks remain in third place in the MnJHL, though the two teams above them (the Mustangs and Lumberjacks) havep played more games. The Ice Hawks have 32 points in 20 games, while the Mustangs have 33 points in 22 games and the Lumberjacks have 42 points in 24 games. That essentially means the Ice Hawks are in second place. But they've gotta keep winning!
Anyway, Hawks fans unite and fill the Rec Center on Saturday (7:05, as usual). Former Rochester player Erik Ordahl will be in town ... he skates for the Northern Lights. The Lights are a very skilled team; they're actually very similar to the Ice Hawks, I just think the Ice Hawks do all of the things the Lights do, but they do them a little better! Should be another good game. See you at the Rec!
