Rangers’ rearguard Connor Hall opts for season-ending shoulder surgery
Out of action since March 11, defender says having procedure now the best option
GUELPH — Connor Hall has traded his bruising bodychecks for polite cheers.
The Kitchener Rangers defenceman was forced to make the move after suffering a seasonending shoulder injury about two weeks back. “It was a tough decision for me to make but one that had to be made for my future,” he said. “Everyone knows I’d be one of the first guys that would want to play in the playoffs. It’s my kind of hockey.”
Hall has been dealing with a wonky right shoulder for most of the season. He missed seven games in December and another eight in February before it popped out yet again against Saginaw on March 11.
He hasn’t played since and has been mulling over a decision to return and hope for the best or shut his season down and have surgery.
“It could have went both ways,” said the 20-year-old. “For me personally, surgery is the best option and the team and everybody else around me has supported me in that.”
And so, Hall will go under the knife in a few weeks.
Until then, he’ll take a seat in the press box and assume the role of chief supporter for the Rangers, who led the Guelph Storm 2-0 in their best-of-seven Ontario Hockey League Western Conference quarter-final heading into Tuesday’s Game 3 at the Sleeman Centre.
“As a leader on this team it’s good for me to be around and keep the positive energy up,” he said.
“I’m excited to see how our younger guys can step up into bigger roles.”
His absence is massive for the Rangers.
The Cambridge native was selected as the third best defensive defenceman in the western conference in the league’s annual coach’s poll. He also won the Rangers’ team award as the best stay at home rearguard.
“He’s certainly a big loss,” said Kitchener coach Jay McKee. “He’s a big part of the hockey club. He’s a leader on and off the ice. He cherished his role of going up against the other team’s top lines.”
Hall’s junior career his been rife with injuries.
He has suffered a broken jaw, a torn labrum and, last season, saw his campaign end in November to have surgery on his left shoulder. Now, it’s time for the exact same procedure on his dislocated right one.
“There is a little of mush in there,” he said. “It’s not held together strongly. If I did play there is a risk of the shoulder popping out again and having it be worse than it already is.”
Surgery allows Hall to be ready to go next season as an overage player with the Rangers. The Pittsburgh Penguins draft pick has not inked a deal with the NHL club and will need a solid season to get back on the pro radar as a free agent, unless he gets redrafted.
“I had surgery on my left shoulder and it’s perfect now,” he said. “Now I’ll have my surgery on my right and it will be good. Hopefully those will be my only two long term injuries and I can come back and play a full season next year.”