Remarkable recovery could put Malhotra in the final
The Stanley Cup will add the name of at least one former member of the Storm as Manny Malhotra and the Vancouver Canucks square off against Daniel Paille, Assistant Coach Geoff Ward and the Boston Bruins starting Wednesday night in Vancouver. Also on the Canuck’s playoff roster is former Guelph captain Ryan Parent who is practicing with the team after playing four games with Vancouver this season.
By HOSEA CHEUNG, QMI Agency – Manny Malhotra is on his way to becoming the miracle man.
Two weeks ago, Vancouver Canucks assistant coach Rick Bowness told the media it would take a “complete miracle” for the injured Malhotra to return this season from a serious eye injury.
Well, at Friday’s practice, the centre was cleared for light contact, sparking intrigue that he might return for the Stanley Cup final, which begins next Wednesday.
It has been an incredible progression for Malhotra since he was struck in the left eye by a deflected puck March 16 against the Colorado Avalanche. The team released a statement then saying he would “not return to the Canucks lineup for the remainder of this regular season and playoffs.”
Following several surgeries, however, he began travelling with the team and even took part in a full practice, with no contact, on May 12. Since then, he has continued to skate with the team while sporting a full face shield.
What transpired Friday, with Malhotra given the green light to take the body at practice, has Canucks general manager Mike Gillis “cautiously optimistic.”
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Daniel Paille Storm bio… Daniel was originally selected by the Storm in the 1st round (6th overall) of the 2000 OHL Priority Selection… Paille would represent Canada at the World Junior Championship on two ocassions claiming silver both times… The Welland native was captain of Team Canada in 2004… Finished his Storm career ranked second all-time in career goals with 116.
Manny Malhotra Storm bio… Manny was originally selected by the Storm in the 1st round of the 1996 OHL Priority Selection… The Mississauga native was named the team’s Rookie of the Year following the 1996-97 season… Manny was drafted in the 1st round (7th overall) in the 1998 NHL Entry Draft and played with the NY Rangers the following season… Represented Canada at the World Junior Championship… Was returned to the Storm as a 19 year old to finish the 1998-99 season.
Geoff Ward Storm bio… Ward spent one season behind the Storm bench in 1998-99 leading the team to the Midwest Division title with a record of 44-22-2.
