EVERETT — Chad Suer is finally able to smile again.
Literally.
The Everett Silvertips defenseman has free movement of his mouth and jaws after the wires that clamped his mouth shut were removed Monday.
Suer had his jaws wired shut after suffering a broken jaw on Dec. 17 in
Everett’s home game against Spokane. But now he once again has the ability to talk and make normal facial expressions.
“It’s been a long six weeks, there’s no doubt about that,” Suer said. “It’s definitely nice getting (the wires) cut.
“It’s definitely a weird feeling (having his mouth wired shut), no question about that.”
Everett has been without its overage blueliner for 16 games. Remarkably, Suer didn’t lose any weight during the time, despite being relegated to a liquid diet, leaving his 200 pounds intact.
“I seem to have maintained my weight,” Suer said. “I ate pretty much normal foods every day. It was a little more work cooking it, though. I had to blend it up and water it down a bit.”
Because Suer was able to maintain his weight, he is expected to be able to return shortly. He rejoined practices on a limited basis last week, and Tuesday he practiced at full speed.
“Throughout the six weeks I was training and trying to keep in shape as best as I could,” Suer said. “I was just going day by day, and I’m still just taking it like that.”
Everett coach Craig Hartsburg said he didn’t know specifically when Suer would return to game action. However, he’s looking forward to getting Suer’s veteran presence back in the lineup.
“We’ve missed him,” Hartsburg said. “The young guys have done a good job, they’ve gained a lot of experience and gotten better every night. But it will certainly be nice to get a 20-year-old back there.”
Ferraro’s surgery successful
Tips center Landon Ferraro has returned to Everett following successful surgery to repair a hernia.
Ferraro underwent the surgery Friday in Detroit after being examined by the Detroit Red Wings’ doctors. Ferraro signed an entry-level contract with Detroit earlier in the season. He will do his rehabilitation in Everett.
Ferraro attended practice Tuesday and was up and about, though he was walking gingerly. His recovery time could be anywhere from 4-8 weeks, so it’s still unknown whether he’ll be back by the end of the regular season.
Harrison suspended
Everett center Ryan Harrison received a one-game suspension from the Western Hockey League, meaning he won’t play in tonight’s game at Kamloops.
Harrison, who has 10 points in nine games since arriving at the trade deadline, was given a major penalty for checking from behind Sunday at Seattle. Major penalties typically draw a minimum of a one-game suspension.
Tips on TV
Tonight’s game at Kamloops will be televised locally by FSN. The game begins at 7 p.m., but the broadcast is being delayed until 10:30 p.m. because of college basketball.
Check out Nick Patterson’s Silvertips blog at http://www.heraldnet.com/silvertipsblog, and follow him on Twitter at NickHPatterson.
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