Tough injury for Bloodoff
r Story from the Kelowna Capital News
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r Kelowna Rockets forward Evan Bloodoff is going to need to tap into what has become an almost legendary work ethic.
r Bloodoff, 19, will have surgery next week to repair a torn ACL and is expected to be out of the Rockets lineup until late February or early March.
r “It’s going to be a big hole for us to fill,” said Rockets general manager Bruce Hamilton. “He’s been a really good penalty killer for us and his speed has been a huge asset.”
r Bloodoff originally injured the knee late last year. An MRI done on the knee upon the Rockets return to Kelowna after the Memorial Cup showed a small tear but not enough to require surgery. This summer it must have gotten worse, according to Hamilton, because Bloodoff failed a physical at the Phoenix Coyotes training camp.
r A follow up MRI showed a full tear of the ACL.
r “It was a tough break for his first training camp,” said Hamilton.
r So now the work has begun as Bloodoff gets set for surgery. Bloodoff has already begun a fitness program to strengthen the knee prior to surgery.
r His work out habits have become well known around the team and he’s going to need every bit of effort as he prepares for rehab, said Hamilton.
r Regardless, it will be the long road back from a surgery that can take four to six months to fully recover from.
r But Hamilton says Bloodoff's work ethic will help him get back.
r “He’s a pretty unique athlete so his rehab will likely go better than most,” said Hamilton. “He is a fitness machine. We’ve started him on a program already. The stronger that leg is before the surgery the better off he will be.”
r Meanwhile the Rockets are still waiting for a handful of players to return to Kelowna from various training camps.
r Goaltender Mark Guggenberger is also battling an injury and his return is also unknown.
r Kelowna wraps up the exhibition season tonight against the Vancouver Giants at 7 p.m. at Prospera Place
r Kelowna opens the WHL regular season this coming Thursday against the Vancouver Giants.
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