Coghlan plans to tone down the fisticuffs
Amundrud’s return means move likely
With just four bare-knuckled scraps on his WHL resume, Ryan Coghlan isn’t known as a fighter.
When he makes his return to the Saskatoon Blades’ lineup, as he’s expected to do Saturday against Swift Current, Coghlan plans to keep it that way.
“There are always going to be guys that are going to step up and try to stand up for their teammates if I do something that they don’t like,” the stay-at-home defenceman said. “But I’m not a fighter.
“I will fight, but it’s not going to be something that I’m looking for the first couple months at least.”
Coghlan dislocated his left shoulder during a scrap with Kootenay Ice forward River Beattie Oct. 22 and has missed the last 11 games. The fight was only the fourth of Coghlan’s WHL career, according to hockeyfights. com, which spans 75 preseason, Saskatoon Blades defenceman Ryan Coghlan carries the puck during WHL action between the Saskatoon Blades and Edmonton Oil Kings in October. Coghlan is expected to return to
the Blades lineup Saturday after missing 11 games with a shoulder injury. regular season and post-season games.
The injury shelved him six games into his second stint in Saskatoon.
Coghlan was in the midst of trying to re-establish himself with the Blades. He was dealt to Prince Albert last December, but reacquired Oct. 5. He is pointless with seven penalty minutes in eight games this season.
“It was tough coming to the rink every day when I got injured,” said Coghlan, whose teammates lost seven of their last eight games in his absence, “especially when we were starting to lose. It was hard to see the boys down and pouting a little bit.”
The 19-year-old’s impending return will add another veteran to the blue-line. It will also add another body to a group that had been ravaged by injuries. Winger Brett Stovin had moved to defence until over-ager Adam Henry (concussion) returned to the lineup for last weekend’s Alberta road trip — three losses in Edmonton, Red Deer and Calgary.
The other sidelined rearguard is Jordan Thomson (concussion). Blades head coach and GM Bob Woods said Thomson has returned home to Wawanesa, Man., to deal with some personal issues. Woods expects him back in Saskatoon by the middle of next week.
When Coghlan begins playing again, Woods anticipates rotating 16-year-olds Schael Higson and Nolan Reid — two players he’s been pleased with — in and out of the lineup. That is subject to change.
“It gives us options,” Woods said. “It makes guys more accountable.”
Coghlan, a 6- foot, 210- pound defenceman, wants to bring a hard-nosed, defensive brand to a Blades team that has allowed a WHL-worst 102 goals against. If he plans to help, he knows he has to stay healthy.
After experiencing his shoulder pop out the back of its socket, Coghlan wants to increase his odds of staying in the lineup.
“It’s a little scary. I’m not going to go looking to fight,” he said. “I don’t really consider that a part of my game. I try to stand up for my teammates as much as I can.
“Right now it’s more looking out for myself and making sure that doesn’t happen again.”
BLADE BITS
Nik Amundrud, 17, has been medically cleared after suffering a concussion Oct. 31 and has resumed skating, giving the Blades three goaltenders. Woods said that won’t be the case for long and that one of Alex Moodie, 19, or Trevor Martin, 18, would be moved to clear room. Woods anticipates a transaction will be made before Saturday’s game.
“We don’t want to keep three goalies,” the coach said. “We’re going to see what options are out there and do what we think is best for the organization.”
C Alex Forsberg (upper body) is probable for Saturday’s game. Forsberg missed Sunday’s 4-1 loss in Calgary … LW Nick Zajac also missed that contest due to a onegame boarding suspension … C Wyatt Sloboshan (jaw) is expected to be unavailable until after the Blades’ British Columbia road trip ends on Dec. 9.
The Blades are back in action Saturday night when they host the Swift Current Broncos at 7 p.m. at SaskTel Centre for the second annual Critters Pucks & Paws game. Fans can bring their dog to the game and $5 from every ticket sold goes toward shelters such as the SPCA, New Hope Dog Rescue and Street Cat Rescue. Blades players Ryan Graham and captain Brett Stovin will sign autographs at the Critters on Ruth Street on Thursday from 3 to 4:30 p.m.