Mitchell Martin inches closer to return to lineup
It was manageable. Until it wasn’t.
Kitchener Rangers power forward Mitchell Martin had learned to deal with the discomfort he first noticed this past September when he left for development camp with the Ottawa Senators.
But about two months later, something changed.
The Rangers were in London taking on the Knights when the overage winger skated gingerly to the team’s bench in the first period and then left the game.
That was Nov. 5.
He hasn’t played since. “Getting injured is one of the worst things that can happen to you,” said the 21-year-old. “It’s something you can’t control.”
Tests revealed a stress fracture in his pelvic bone.
The worst part? The timeline for a return was fluid.
Martin was on crutches briefly and has since had a steady diet of physical therapy to strengthen his pelvis, regain range of motion and increase flexibility.
But the main cure was time. “The bone needed to heal,” he said.
And that has been the frustrating part.
There were moments where Martin felt close to returning and got his hopes up only to realize that he wasn’t quite ready.
“All the uncertainty didn’t help with staying level-headed,” he said. “It’s definitely had its ups and downs. But you can’t have a ‘why me?’ attitude.
“It’s a hard thing to go through but, if anything, it has made me mentally stronger and have that much more of an appreciation for the game and the team.”
But the wait might be over soon. The six-foot-four, 210-pound Sudbury native was cleared for contact and has been practising with the Rangers for the past week or so.
He’s feeling healthy, getting stronger and it’s to the point where he feels he can return to his old self without worrying about reinjuring his pelvis.
“We’re taking it day by day,” he said. “It’s all about how I feel, when me and the coaches feel confident.” Martin can’t get the time back. And that hurts, especially since he led the team in playoff scoring last season and came out firing this season with 15 points in his first 16 games.
As an undrafted player he was hoping to impress a few NHL scouts during his last hoorah in the Ontario Hockey League.
And perhaps he still can. Martin skated on a line with rookie Luca Romano and winger Luke Ellinas this week at practice. But he’s ready to take on any role, when called upon.
“I just want to suit up and get back out there,” Martin said. “I’m not going to get the same ice I was used to but I completely understand. I’m willing to work my way back up.”
Ironically, the Rangers face the Knights Friday at the Aud.
Kitchener hasn’t defeated its Midwest Division foe since that ill-fated night at Budweiser Gardens when Martin was knocked out of action back in November.
When asked if Friday would be an ideal return date, the big man just smiled.
“If you’re going to play, it might as well be against one of the best teams in the country,” he said. “London would be a great test not only for our team, but also for my first game back.”
‘‘ It’s a hard thing to go through but, if anything, it has made me mentally stronger and have that much more of an appreciation for the game and the team.
MITCHELL MARTIN RANGERS FORWARD