Red Deer Rebel’s veteran forward Daulton Siwak can only hope the worst part of his Western Hockey League season is over.
The 18-year-old native of Olds has managed to play only 18 of the team’s 35 games as he twice was out with “upper body” injuries. The latest still has him on the shelf, although there’s a light at the end of the tunnel.
“I’ve been cleared by the doctors to practice and I hope I can get back in tomorrow (today) or Thursday,” he explained prior to practice Monday at the Centrium.
The Rebels play twice this week— tonight against the Medicine Hat Tigers and Thursday against the Kootenay Ice. Both games are set for 7 p.m.
Siwak came into the season with a lot of enthusiasm and optimism. He was coming off a strong finish to the 2010-11 season and was invited to the NHL research, development and orientation camp in Toronto during the summer along with Rebels teammate Matt Dumba.
The camp gave many of the top draft-age players across the countrya chance to show their skills while testing a number of potential changes to the game.
“The camp was a great opportunity for me and a real eye-opener,” he said. “But just getting the invite was a huge confidence boost.”
But Siwak’s season didn’t start as quickly as he, and the Rebels coaching staff, had hoped. “He had a real strong second half of the season last year and was solid in the playoffs,” said Rebels head coach/GM Jesse Wallin.
“He looked to be a real key guy heading into this season, but he struggled with that a bit, whether he was putting too much pressure on himself or what the case was, he didn’t get off to the start we hoped for.”
Siwak agreed.
“I came into camp in a good frame of mind, but I may have had a little pressure on me then I ran into the injuries,” he explained. “When I came back the first time I was really excited, then bang another injury.
“The thing is for me to come back and play the game I’m best at, and that’s using my speed and playing a hard-nosed game.”
Siwak has five goals and two helpers in 18 games, but realizes he needs to contribute more offensively.
“I do need to score more, but I’m trying to deal with it in a positive manner,” he said. “As a team we need to score and that’s a matter of working our systems and being on the same page.”
Siwak will give anything to be back on the ice as the toughest part of his latest injury was watching his teammates struggle through a long losing streak.
“Watching the struggles we went through was tougher than the injury for sure,” he said. “It’s never easy to sit and watch and not be able to help.”
Wallin wants his third-year forward to return healthy and ready to contribute.
“I think he has more to give. When it comes down to his daily approach he has to have the right frame of mind, come to the rink willing to work and make his game better. One thing is consistency and the big part of it is to bring his compete level each and every night. When he does that he’s a very good hockey player. I think he has another level to give to us.”
Siwak is just one of five players on the injured list with defenceman Aaron Borejko and forwards Josh Cowen and Adam Kambeitz also out with upper body injures and goalie Patrik Bartosak gone for the season with shoulder surgery.
As well defenceman Kayle Doetzel and forward Cory Millette are at the World U17 Challenge.
Wallin doesn’t see a lot of help in the wings either.
“The majority of the kids we could bring up are otherwise engaged,” he said. “Several are at the Mac’s tournament (in Calgary) or at the U17 tournament.”
When Borejko and Cowen do return it gives Wallin another headache as he’ll have four 20-year-olds, one over the limit. Rearguard Justin Weller and new netminder Deven Dubyk are the other over-age players on the roster.
“As of now with Aaron on the injured list, we’re OK, but we have to make a decision before Jan. 10 (trade deadline),” said Wallin. “Hopefully Aaron is ready to go shortly and we can make a decision, but if he’s not ready by Jan. 10 it puts another strain on the situation.”
The Rebels won two of their final three games prior to the Christmas break and that was something they needed for their confidence.
“We’re still a bit banged up, but hopefully we can get a couple of points this week and then we have another week off before our next game and that should help considerably.”
Kambeitz is also close to returning and should be back by next week for sure, according to Wallin.
“When we get a full lineup back it should make us that much better as the young guys got a lot of playing time and got a chance to play in situations they normally wouldn’t be in. That’s great experience for them and in the long run it should make them that much better.”
drode@www.reddeeradvocate.com