In August of 2009, Matt Pufahl suffered a shoulder injury that was supposed to keep him off the ice for six weeks.
But then six weeks turned into five months, the 2010-11 season was nearly as frustrating and it’s just now that the Red Deer Rebels defenceman has become a true contributor.
Pufahl endured the original injury during the first day of training camp and after eventually undergoing shoulder surgery, wasn’t ready for active duty until late January.
He spent the latter part of the 2009-10 season with his hometown midget AAA Saskatoon Contacts — getting into only 15 regular-season and playoff games — and was back in the Rebels training camp in the fall as a 17-year-old.
“Missing almost the whole season set me back quite a bit but I came in here last year determined to not let that get to me, to start fresh,” Pufahl said Thursday.
And then came a whole new slew of injuries — concussion, bicep tendon, eye and knee — and Pufahl’s 2010-11 season was limited to 31 games.
“Last year wasn’t the greatest year for me with all of the injuries and I didn’t play my best,” he acknowledged.
“But this year I’ve been playing well defensively and offensively I’m starting to play better. I’m starting to create more offensive chances while trying to stay strong in the defensive zone.”
Pufahl, who this season has contributed three assists in 16 games and is a plus-3 in the plus/minus category, admitted that dealing with the multitude of injuries was mentally taxing.
“It was difficult that way, but we have a very good mental training coach, Derek Robinson. I talked to him quite a bit and he helped me get through it,” said the Rebels’ fourth-round pick in the 2008 WHL bantam draft.
“It was a frustrating time, I couldn’t be out there with the guys and contributing to our success. This year I’ve been lucky enough to stay healthy.”
After playing at 190 pounds last season, Pufahl bulked up during the summer and is now a solid six-foot-one and 200 pounds.
“That was my goal, to get stronger. With my position you have to be strong in front of your net . . . you have to get opposing forwards away from your goaltender,” he said.
Jesse Wallin isn’t surprised that Pufahl has just recently started to become the player the club envisioned when he was selected in the bantam draft.
“Obviously, when you’re battling injuries you’re always in catch up mode.
“It’s tough to get your confidence, it’s tough to get any rhythm and you’re fighting to get into the lineup,” said the Rebels GM/head coach.
“And yet some of that he brought upon himself. I think the biggest thing that ‘Puf’ took out of being here last year was that he needed to raise his conditioning level.
“He was really pushed over the second half of the season to get himself in better shape and make himself stronger and I think that’s contributed to him staying healthy this season. He’s taken a step this year. He’s been a contributor and he just needs to continue to progress.”
Wallin sees a marked improvement in Pufahl’s defensive game. However . . .
“We think he’s got a little more offence to give than he’s shown so far this season,” said the Rebels bench boss. “But he’s taken care of his own end of the rink better and has been stronger one on one.
“The big thing with him is just to continue to be consistent throughout the game. He tends to sometimes have one or two shifts in a game where he gets in trouble and if he can eliminate those he’s going to take another step.”
gmeachem@www.reddeeradvocate.com