Rangers’ Guest healthy, eager to contribute
KITCHENER — What happened to Eric Guest?
The status of the Kitchener Rangers forward was a popular topic during the team’s postseason march.
His absence from the lineup had the rumour mill swirling.
Injured, unhappy and holding out for a trade were just some of the guesses that popped up around the Aud.
One of them was true.
“I had a viral sickness,” said Guest. “It got really bad during the playoffs. It was unfortunate timing.”
The ailment plagued the London-area lad for six weeks. He lost 25 pounds and was hospitalized a couple of times.
“I feel a lot better now so I’m happy it’s all done with,” he added. “I’m back to normal.”
Agent Dave Gagner confirmed that his client has never requested a trade. In fact, Guest is gearing up for a coming-out party with the Rangers after two years of slow growth.
“I feel like I definitely haven’t played up to my potential,” he said. “I feel like I haven’t been given as big of a chance as some guys but I have to earn that by working hard. It’s up to me to come in this year and prove that I deserve that.”
The Rangers selected Guest in the third round (47th overall) in
the Ontario Hockey League draft two years ago. The former London Jr. Knights standout had six points in 43 games as a rookie while scoring 10 points in the same amount of games this past season.
Guest came into training camp in great shape and caught the eyes of Rangers’ brass.
“He kind of looked like he was going to take that next step,” said Kitchener general manager Mike McKenzie. “We were really happy with him.” But things got derailed fast. Guest missed the team’s first five games with a concussion after being hit in the head by a puck in an exhibition game against the Niagara IceDogs. He sat out another three weeks with a sprained shoulder and missed some late season tilts and all of the playoffs with that flu-like illness.
“He has just had trouble getting momentum,” said Gagner. “He still has up to three years left in junior. He has the ability to be dangerous.”
The departure of several veteran Rangers mean there will be opportunities at the Aud in the fall. And Guest is hoping to take advantage of it.
“There have definitely been a lot of speed bumps (last season),” he said. “I’m excited to get back at it this year and show Kitchener and everyone the kind of player I can really be.”
Count the Rangers as believers.
“You see it every year,” said McKenzie. “There are always 18 and 19 year olds that kind of come out of nowhere and we’re hoping he’s that type of guy because he has the talent to do it.”