EVERETT — Shayne Brown still has a role.
The Everett Silvertips defenseman hasn’t played since October. That won’t change anytime soon as he’s done for the season after undergoing hip-flexor surgery.
Yet there he is every day at Comcast Arena, watching practice from the bench or viewing games from the stands, involving himself in whatever capacity his injured body can handle.
It may have ended up a frustrating season for the 19-year-old Brown. However, he’s managed to keep his spirits up despite the setbacks, making him a valuable member of the team even if he can’t help on the ice.
“I don’t know of any other player who would have been as committed,” Everett coach John Becanic said. “He does his rehab, he’s at every meeting, he’s at every practice. It’s rare to find a guy who’s not playing, who’s not reaping the fun part of major junior hockey, doing all the hard stuff and still having a smile on his face. He’s an unbelievable character guy who we’re lucky to have.”
Said Brown: “I probably won’t play another game this year, but I just want to stay with the guys. It’s fun to be here, fun to be in Everett, so I want to be here as much as I can.”
Brown was acquired from Medicine Hat during the preseason in an effort to give the Tips another veteran presence on the back end. He did just that for 11 games, notching a goal, four assists and playing solid defense. But then he began feeling discomfort in his hip flexor.
An examination by a specialist revealed a muscle tear, but it was an old injury and Brown’s discomfort was not directly related. Since the muscle tear wasn’t the source of the pain it was believed Brown could rest to allow the discomfort to subside, then finish out the season before having the tear repaired during the offseason.
However, as he neared return Brown reached a point where no more progress was being made on the discomfort, and the decision was made to undergo surgery, thus ending his season but giving him the chance to head into his overage season at full strength.
“That was probably the hardest part, just deciding to go through the surgery,” said Brown, who may have been able to play through the pain if necessary. “If I waited to the end of the year I’d be out most of the summer. I’m just waiting for that summer to train and get better.”
Meanwhile, he’s made himself a one-man community relations and morale squad. He’s the first to volunteer for all of Everett’s community appearances, and he’s made an extra effort to be a positive influence in the locker room.
“That’s what the coaches want me to do here,” Brown said. “They want me to be happy, be joyful, come into the room and kind of cheer up the guys. I like that, I’m always like that. We haven’t been winning lately, but that’s why I’m here, to try and keep the guys positive.”
Elynuik added: The Tips have temporarily added 16-year-old power forward Campbell Elynuik to their roster.
Elynuik, one of Everett’s top prospects, is available because his midget team, the Calgary Royals of the Alberta Midget Hockey League, has a bye in the first round of the playoffs. He’ll remain with the team through Saturday, and Becanic said he would be in the lineup tonight.
Elynuik, the son of former NHL player Pat Elynuik, appeared in one game for Everett early in the season and did not look out of place.
Van de Velde update: Everett forward Paul Van de Velde’s shoulder injury is not as serious as originally feared.
Van de Velde sat out last weekend’s games because of the injury, and the severity of the injury was not known. Further examination found the injury is not serious and he should be able to return by the end of the regular season.
He is currently listed as week to week.
Nick Patterson’s Silvertips blog: http://www.heraldnet.com/silvertipsblog
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