Two forwards have already beaten the odds
Aug 14, 2005 16:44:02 GMT -5
Post by M. Beaux-Eaux on Aug 14, 2005 16:44:02 GMT -5
...Chipchura, 19, was a first-round draft of the Montreal Canadiens in 2004 (18th overall) and might have made last year's junior nationals had he not suffered the right-leg injury during practice on Dec. 3.
He had just played for the Western Hockey League all-stars against a touring Russian junior team when he rejoined the Raiders. Five minutes into practice, a skate caught Chipchura in the back of the leg.
"It was kind of a freak accident -- cut [the tendon] right in half," said Chipchura, who hails from Vimy, Alta. "It was one of those one-in-a-million things.
"I got back [in the Raiders' lineup] March 30 in the playoffs. It took a lot of hard work, a lot of sweat and tears."
Canadian junior head coach Brent Sutter, who runs the WHL's Red Deer Rebels as owner, manager and head coach, knew all about Chipchura and didn't hesitate putting him on the tryout roster for this year's Canadian team.
"I got to come to camp last year and it was so good being around the best players," Chipchura said. "You get treated top-notch here and it was quite the experience. When I got the call [again], I was real happy.
"There's still a team to make, but it's also a pleasure being here. To play for Team Canada anywhere, any time is such a great honour. It's something not too many people get to experience. To be a part of it would be amazing."
Chipchura appreciates the way the respected Sutter pushed everyone during practices before players started scrimmaging last night. The third and final scrimmage moves to General Motors Place in Vancouver on Monday, where more than 11,000 tickets have been sold.
"[Chipchura] hasn't lost any of his speed," Sutter said. "He has tremendously strong character, a great leadership-type player. You need players like that on your hockey team, especially going into a situation where you lack experience at this level.",,,
- tinyurl.com/bfhmh
He had just played for the Western Hockey League all-stars against a touring Russian junior team when he rejoined the Raiders. Five minutes into practice, a skate caught Chipchura in the back of the leg.
"It was kind of a freak accident -- cut [the tendon] right in half," said Chipchura, who hails from Vimy, Alta. "It was one of those one-in-a-million things.
"I got back [in the Raiders' lineup] March 30 in the playoffs. It took a lot of hard work, a lot of sweat and tears."
Canadian junior head coach Brent Sutter, who runs the WHL's Red Deer Rebels as owner, manager and head coach, knew all about Chipchura and didn't hesitate putting him on the tryout roster for this year's Canadian team.
"I got to come to camp last year and it was so good being around the best players," Chipchura said. "You get treated top-notch here and it was quite the experience. When I got the call [again], I was real happy.
"There's still a team to make, but it's also a pleasure being here. To play for Team Canada anywhere, any time is such a great honour. It's something not too many people get to experience. To be a part of it would be amazing."
Chipchura appreciates the way the respected Sutter pushed everyone during practices before players started scrimmaging last night. The third and final scrimmage moves to General Motors Place in Vancouver on Monday, where more than 11,000 tickets have been sold.
"[Chipchura] hasn't lost any of his speed," Sutter said. "He has tremendously strong character, a great leadership-type player. You need players like that on your hockey team, especially going into a situation where you lack experience at this level.",,,
- tinyurl.com/bfhmh