Green returns
He’s back, just as the Red Deer Rebels are preparing to put the wraps on their Western Hockey League regular-season schedule.
Nathan Green, who’s been watching from the press box since undergoing surgery for a fractured leg in late November, will return to the Rebels’ lineup for tonight’s 7:30 p.m. meeting with the visiting Kootenay Ice.
“This is kind of what we started shooting for about a month ago,” the 20-year-old centre said Thursday of his return to the active roster. “It will be good to get a couple of games in (including Sunday’s regular-season finale against the host Calgary Hitmen) and then have a full week of practice before we go into the playoffs. I feel this will be good for me as far as getting some of the kinks out and some of the rust off.
“It’s been a long time . . . three and a half months and 45 games that I’ve missed.”
Green returned to the ice a few weeks ago and immediately suffered some discomfort.
“But the leg is in good shape now,” he said. “After I skate it might be a little swollen from time to time, but that’s what I was told would happen for the next few months so it’s nothing to worry about.
“As far as making quick stops and turns, everything is good. A couple of weeks ago those kind of moves were bothering me a bit, but I don’t have any pain now.”
Rebels head coach Jesse Wallin said Green will be eased back into action.
“We’ll get him in and kind of gauge how he’s doing and how he’s feeling. It’s been a few months since he’s been in a game situation and we’ll just see where he’s at,” said Wallin. “Whether he plays a regular shift or if we just spot him in will depend on how he feels. I expect he’ll play some power play for us and we’ll get him out there five-on-five as much as he’s ready for.”
Wallin added that the Winnipeg native will boost the Rebels’ roster with his talent and experience.
“The biggest thing is that he’s a veteran guy, a 20-year-old who has a lot of leadership abilities,” said the Rebels mentor. “And obviously he’s a skilled guy. He’s going to add to our power play and be a good player for us moving forward. It’s exciting to get him back and we’re excited to have him in our room as well as on the ice.”
Green, acquired from the Brandon Wheat Kings last June, is thrilled with the prospect of helping the Rebels extend their season.
“It’s great to be back, it’s been a long time coming,” he said. “This is my last season in the WHL so obvioulsy I want to make the best of it. We have these two very important games coming up and it’s a pretty exciting time with the playoffs right around the corner.”
gmeachem@reddeeradvocate.com
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