Injury Update

The Blazers released this statement this morning:

BLAZERS LOSE TWO DEFENSEMEN LONG-TERM

Kamloops, BC – The Kamloops Blazers have announced that they have lost 18-year-old defensemen Austin Madaisky and Brandon Underwood for a significant period of time.

Madaisky suffered a hairline C-7 fracture in his neck during Friday night’s game versus the Chilliwack Bruins. He has since been released from hospital and is expected to make a full recovery over the coming months. The 6’2” defenseman drafted by the Columbus Blue Jackets in the 5th round of the 2010 NHL Draft, has gone home to Surrey for the remainder of the season.

Underwood suffered a torn MCL in his knee in the same game on Friday night. He is expected to miss the next 4-6 weeks which could keep him out of the line up until the playoffs.

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When it rains it pours. Two defenseman in one game - likely both out for the season.

There was a sense of shock with Madaisky's injury when his teammates were told prior to leaving for Chilliwack Saturday afternoon to conclude the home and home set.

Considering Madaisky, skated off under his own power after the hit, it did appear as if he would be ok. When he arrived to the rink Saturday morning, he wasn't responding well to some tests and exercises. At that point, he was sent to the hospital for further examination.

As for Underwood, the training staff was pretty sure it was an MCL injury moments after it occurred in the first period Friday night. An MRI confirmed the news.

As for help on the back-end, Head Coach Guy Charron says if they were forced to, they could move F Jordan DePape back. They've experimented with it in the past and that option would be available.

Jon