Bad luck, and the medical industrial complex, have caught up to Cochrane Generals forward Ian McRae.
The 20-year-old sublime sniper, on target for his third Generals season, is out for the long term – diagnosed with post-concussion symptoms. This, after rehabilitating a badly-damaged knee over the summer.
Arguably one of the top guns in the Heritage League (23 goals, 31 assists in 31 games last season), the 5-foot-11, 170-pound forward’s absence leaves a prominent gash in the Generals forward ranks.
“Ian McRae will potentially be done for the rest of his career,” Generals head coach Evan McFeeters speculated. “His doctor said between injuries with his latest concussion and his knee problems, he’s recommending McRae not play.”
McFeeters hasn’t the luxury of dwelling on what could be.
“We have to move forward with the 25 guys we’ve got and go with those guys. We lose potentially the most dangerous offensive player in the league. But we can’t dwell on the past. We have to go forward with the 25 guys we have a lot of confidence in and we’ve had a good start to the season with.”
And there’s always a chance McRae’s long-term prognosis changes.
“He’s taking a month or two off to see where he’s at then,” McFeeters continued. “There’s a small chance. But we’re not looking that far ahead. If it happens, it happens.”
