By Drew Wilson

Stallard shoulders rehab responsibly

Feb 22, 2017 | 9:00 AM

“It sucks that it happened, but that’s hockey I guess.”

Jordy Stallard’s short but stellar stint as a Prince Albert Raider came to an end after just eight games following season-ending shoulder surgery.

The 19-year-old centreman from Brandon was acquired in a trade deadline day deal with Calgary, which ironically is where Stallard’s season came to an end on January 22.

“It was at the end of the second period,” Stallard, who called it a freak accident, said. “I went to poke the puck and one of the players for Calgary lifted my stick and my shoulder dislocated.”

Stallard, a fifth round 2016 NHL draft selection by Winnipeg, was just beginning to thrive after a slow start this season in Calgary. He said suffering the injury after developing instant chemistry with his new Raider teammates is frustrating and the injury simply wasn’t healing.

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“It just wasn’t really getting any better,” Stallard said. He added having season-ending surgery was a joint decision between the Raiders and Winnipeg Jets.

“I just really had no movement in the shoulder so Winnipeg called me and flew me out there and I was able to get in and get an MRI and get surgery,” he said.

Stallard had six goals and four assists as a Raider. He said playing on the first power play unit in addition being the first line centreman was the type of opportunity he was hoping for.

“I got a lot of opportunity when I came here and, you know, it was great, I got a lot of confidence and I was able to produce and that was what I was looking for.”

Stallard should be fully healed in time for Jets rookie and main training camps next fall and could return to the Raiders as a 20-year-old, an option he said he would embrace.

“Yeah, it would be great,” he said. His initial goal next fall is signing a pro contract.

“My first priortiy is just rehabbing my shoulder and my goal is to play pro next year, but you know, if that doesn’t work out then, yeah, I’ll come back to PA and hope for a good season.”

dwilson@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: RaidersVoice