Carson Stadnyk appears on Q13 and Dawson Leedahl’s return appears imminent

Published 7:34 pm Monday, March 7, 2016

In case you missed it the Everett Silvertips clinched a playoff spot Sunday night when Seattle beat Tri-City. But that wasn’t the only big news from Sunday as Silvertips winger Carson Stadnyk went on Q It Up Sports with Aaron Levine on Q13 Fox. You can watch that segment below:

I asked Dawson Leedahl about Standyk’s performance. Leedahl responded by saying, “It was awesome. Any time you have to do an interview on TV it’s tough.”

Speaking of Leedahl, his return appears to be imminent. The captain was a full participant in Monday’s practice and told me afterward he is planning to play Tuesday when the Portland Winterhawks visit Xfinity Arena.

“It’s really hard,” Leedahl said of sitting in the stands for the past month. “Every time you’re watching a game you just want to be out there helping the guys out. Every time there is a little battle or something you want to be there. It’s hard not being able to do anything.”

The 19-year-old Saskatoon native broke his hand blocking a shot in Everett’s 4-1 win at Seattle on Feb. 6.

Leedahl (12 goals, 15 assists) hasn’t lit up the stat sheet this season like his linemates Stadnyk (19 goals, 28 assists) and Remi Laurencelle (28 goals, 29 assists), but that isn’t necessarily Leedahl’s role. The captain is plus-14, trailing only Stadnyk (plus-17) in that category. Moreover Leedahl brings a physical presence on a team that prides itself on being warriors.

“First off in the dressing room he leads by example,” Stadnyk said. “He’s a hell of a captain and leads on and off the ice. When we’re preparing for games he tells us what to do, what to say and all that. On the ice he blocks shots, takes hits for us and standing up for us – fighting if he has to. He’s a huge part of our team and we miss him a lot when he’s not out there.”

Connor Dewar has filled in admirably on the top line in Leedahl’s absence, but it’s worth noting the Tips immediately lost three straight after Leedahl was injured and are 4-6-2-1 since he’s been out.

Suffice to say that if Leedahl does indeed return Tuesday it will be not a moment too soon.