The Adirondack Thunder have been dealing with a multitude of injuries lately, and after Saturday Night’s game, Head Coach Pete MacArthur gave the media an update and timeline on most of the news, which is not good news for Thunder fans. Patrick Grasso and Mike Gillespie are both in concussion protocol and have not skated. Grasso has been out since January 26th, and Gillespie has missed the past three games, and from what MacArthur said, it doesn’t sound like either of them will be back anytime soon. Grant Jozefek is also not skating, and there is no timetable for his return as he has missed the last four games for Adirondack and was placed on IR on 3/23.
MacArthur also mentioned that we will not be being Shane Bull again due to injury as he went on the IR on 3/25. Jace Isley is also done for the year, as he will undergo season-ending shoulder surgery. He was also placed on IR. Isley finished the season with six goals and 17 assists for 23 points in 54 games with the Thunder; he also played in seven games with Utica, where he found the back of the net once
Goaltender Vinnie Purpura, who some could argue has been Adirondack’s number one this year, will miss the remainder of the regular season after hitting the IR on 3/25. He will finish his rookie season with a 15-4-4-1 record, a 2.78 GAA, a .908SV%, and one shutout. MacArthur didn’t rule him out for the Kelly Cup Playoffs, and a healthy Purpura could be a huge difference-maker for the Thunder. Adirondack still has Jeremy Brodeur, Tyler Brennan, and Isaac Poulter to man the pipes while Purpura is gone.
Despite all the bad news that MacArthur, there is a glimmer of hope as Zach Walker is skating with the team, and according to Head Coach Pete MacArthur, Walker is “skating and is trending in a positive direction.” Walker has dealt with injuries all year for the Thunder, limiting him to only 23 games this season, where he has put up three goals and eight assists for 11 points, along with 39 penalty minutes.
