67’s Dietsch ready to return from injury
Ottawa 67’s defenceman Kaleb Dietsch had something of a frustrating summer.
While working out with his trainer, he says his right shoulder “came out,” something he’s experienced a few times before. Typically, it has gone back in a minute or two later, raising little cause for concern. That day, however, his trainer told him it wasn’t exactly normal, and that he should get it looked at.
Dietsch decided to listen, and got an MRI done, where it was revealed he had a torn labrum. Soon thereafter, he underwent successful surgery, but there was never a clear and obvious date he could think back to when the injury happened. As such, he went from working out and skating to recovering from surgery without much time to register what happened.
“It was hard, really hard,” Dietsch said. “I went from doing all this stuff every day, to sitting in my recliner for a week in front of my TV watching eight movies a day. I couldn’t even move. I mean, it’s pretty boring.”
With two screws in his shoulder, Dietsch says there are no worries about what he can or can’t do, he feels great. He’s been on the ice without the non-contact yellow jersey for a few weeks now, and he hasn’t noticed any limitations.
The only thing the Niagara on the Lake native is worried about is getting his own seat on the bus – he says he needs the legroom.
At this point, however, you could pack Dietsch’s seat with a bunch of farm animals and he wouldn’t complain. He’s back playing, that’s all that matters.
His return to the lineup comes sooner than he could have hoped, let alone expected. Originally, he had been told he’d be lucky to get a game under his belt before Christmas, and here he is, in the middle of October, lacing up the skates on game day.
“Oh, my God, it’s perfect,” Dietsch said excitedly of making his debut. “My shoulder has been healing really fast, so I’m really lucky.”
A season ago, the 17-year-old played only seven games with the Barber Poles, spending the majority of the time with the CCHL’s Ottawa Jr. Senators. No matter where he was playing, he says there was some adjusting to do.
“It Took me a while to realize I have to make the best of the opportunity in Junior ‘A’ to prove that I’m worthy enough to play at the next level,” Dietsch said. “When I did get my chance to get called up, I knew I would just have to work as hard as I did before to make my point that I should stay in this lineup.”
From his seven games – and four playoff games – in the OHL, it became clear to Dietsch that this isn’t minor hockey anymore.
“It’s a lot harder,” he said. “Everyone wants to go to NHL and get to the next level, so everyone is working as hard as they can, whether it’s a practice or game. Guys don’t give you a break when you mess up.”
At the OHL level, Dietsch is yet to establish himself, but his style of play is no mystery. He’s worried about his own end of the rink first and foremost, and the rest is gravy.
“I don’t really care about points too much, because that’s not my role,” Dietsch said. “I’m the guy who will grind and get the puck back for us, and stick up for the guys.”
“My main goal is just to play the best I can every game, stay in the lineup, and prove that I’m ‘your guy’ to NHL scouts.”
