The Checkers' leading scorer Greg Nemisz is likely out for the rest of the season after suffering a knee injury.
According to head coach Jeff Daniels, the injury occured during the second period of Saturday's win over Iowa.
"It wasn’t a big hit but was just enough of an impact," said Daniels. "There’s nothing you can really do to prepare for it – it’s just one of those freak things."
Nemisz was enjoying a hot start to the 2014-15 season, as his 14 points in 21 games, including a stretch that saw him rack up 12 points in nine games, put him nearly halfway to his career-high for a season. Since being traded from Abbotsford last season, the Ontario native has been lights-out, totaling 25 points in 35 games in a Checkers sweater.
On a team struggling so mightily in the goal-scoring department, Nemisz's production will be sorely missed.
"It’s a huge loss," said Daniels. "He was off to a great start offensively, but for me he was also a go-to-guy and one of the first over the boards in a lot of situations, whether it be the penalty kill, power play, going up against the other team’s top guys or protecting a lead late in the game."
On top of being one of the team's most dangerous offensive weapons, Nemisz was also named an alternate captain at the start of the season, bringing his leadership to a roster filled with young players. Daniels admits that they haven't discussed plans on whether Nemisz will remain with the team or go home, but notes that he could bring a positive influence to the team even if he's not playing.
""We’ll also miss him in that locker room because he’s a real good pro," said Daniels. "We’d like to keep him around so he can watch the games and talk to guys about what he’s seeing. He’s been around for a while and that experience would help us."
With Nemisz out of the lineup, the Checkers situation down the middle is a dire one. Nemisz himself is not a natural center, but has played in that spot the whole season. The other centers on the roster, Ben Holmstrom, Patrick Brown and Brody Sutter, have all missed significant playing time with injury. In fact, those four skaters have only appeared in a game together three times through the first 23 contests.
The thinness of the center position forced the Checkers to go with outside help, signing several PTOs, including A.J. Jenks, who is still on the roster, as well as shuffling other players into the fold.
""We didn’t have a lot of depth at that position to begin with and we’ve been really banged up there all season," said Daniels. "Woodsy [Brendan Woods] has done a really good job filling in and now with these other injuries we’re going to have to continue to assess."
The Checkers suffered even more losses yesterday, as both Brown and Jenks were forced to leave the game due to injuries and did not return. With the team currently en route to Texas for a pair of games this weekend, those players' statuses are up in the air, as is the need for more PTOs.
""We’re travelling and aren’t skating today so we’re not sure whether they’re going to be available to us or not," said Daniels. "Right now they’re day-to-day."
Not present on the trip is defenseman Beau Schmitz, who left Monday's contest after taking a bad hit and did not return.
