Friday, November 27, 2009

Luka Vidmar Out For Season



UAA Seawolves junior defenseman Luka Vidmar appears to be out for the season with what coach Dave Shyiak described as a "grade 3" ACL tear.  Colorado College senior forward Brian McMillin was whistled for a kneeing penalty on Vidmar at 13:52 of the 1st period during Friday nights 1st game of the WCHA series at World Arena in Colorado Springs.

Luka appeared in 10 games this season and posted 1 goal with 4 assists.  It was a promising beginning to the season.  In his two previous seasons, Vidmar had registered 2 goals and 9 assists over 60 games.  Luka had become a regular on the Seawolves power play this season displaying smart heads up play as well as showing an ability to get the puck through traffic to the net.

His absence from the blueline leaves the Seawolves with 6 healthy regular defenseman (2 seniors, 1junior, 1 sophomore and 2 freshman) while they await the mid-season activation of transfer Brad Gorham who is listed as an forward/defenseman. 

I had commented last weekend to some other fans that I thought Luka was coming into his own this season and I'd been impressed with his play.  At this time it appears there is no public video of the infraction.  And there has been no word as to whether coach Shyiak has asked for any sort of review of the infraction which lead to this season ending injury for Vidmar.

I would only add best wishes to Luka for the speediest possible recovery with the best possible outcome for him personally.

32 comments:

Anonymous said...

You never want to see any player hurt. Vidmar skates well and will be missed.

Donald Dunlop said...

The Seawolves have been relatively blessed the past few years in terms of any kind of these season ending injuries. Not having seen many of them though doesn't make it any easier to take.

As you say, he will be missed. Hopefully, the rest of the guys can rally a bit and pick up their efforts in his absence.

Anonymous said...

Sounds like 49 is out to. Both are huge losses

Anonymous said...

Injuries are starting to hurt our team. We somehow have to stop the bleeding in our own end.
I know we have the talent up front, but they will have to work on our overall defense game.
Pealties at certain times killed us last nite., tripping, boarding.
I am hopping clark, grant and haddad can put a strong offence game together tonite.
As far as the power play, throw out your top five and go for it.
We so fat have the worst power play in the nation.
Josh and Vidamr out definitely hurt, last year we sat out players and won games. We have had to play the top teams in the league in the first half.
Win tonite and get home to the safe confines of the sully.
3 more games to the break, don't give up guys, play 1 game and 1 period at a time.
Fan

Anonymous said...

31 goals scored on us on friday nites. Teams seem to come on hard on us in the first period, do we have a game plan. Most of our goals are scored in the second period. The only games we win, is when we play tough along the boards and our scorers put the puck in the nite early in the second. I am sure the coaches will adjust there game plan for tonite.
Prediction 3 to 2 win uaa, a close one.
Clark 1 goal 1 assit
Parkinson 1 goal
Grant 2 assists.
Baldwin blast from the point. 1 goal.

-30- said...

I thought CC took a few liberties all night, and the injuries are a case in point. Wolves gave this team way too much respect. We need a little attitude and a whole lot of rethinking this powerplay. The first point is easy, the second?... The boys are so tight I could here them squeaking from the real great white north.

Anonymous said...

Some boys struggled last night, and those breakdowns resulted in goals. Shyiak needs to rethink a few things for tonights game.
Luka will be missed and Jonny is capable of coming through with a win for the boys tonight.

Anonymous said...

Since the departure of Mat Robinson,not one defenseman has stepped up to lead the defenase and log the ice time he use too. We need a leader back there to right this sinking ship.

444 said...

Can he have a medical redshirt?

-30- said...

You're right about Robinson. I've said more than once on this site that they were always a better team when he was on the ice. But that's gone. What now? I guess that's why the coaches get the big bucks.

Suze said...

Shyiak better call for a review of the hit on Vidmar. The rule book states that if there is any injury with a kneeing penalty, a game disqualification MUST be called.

The refs blew it, again. UAA should have had a 5 minute pp, which would have given them 2 full minutes of the 2 man advantage, instead of one.

Shep says he will "look at it".

Anonymous said...

When your team is winning and staying out of the box with dumb pentalties, the referees always seem to give that team a break.
Something to learn in hockey.
Some referees get emtionally involved in the game.

Anonymous said...

Then they shouldn't be refs.

None said...

I think last night dealt me a season ending injury too...

Am I still the only one who realizes that we simply lack the talent to compete in the WCHA?

None said...

Here's praying for Luka's speedy recovery.

Donald Dunlop said...

OnWolves:
YES! You are the only fan that comes here and doesn't express optimism. Congratulations on your pessimism and thank you ever so much for bringing your negativity and alleged objectivism to my blog. I do still suspect that you harbor an allegiance to some other team.

But that said, I really wish you'd start posting on your blog (it's set up and ready to go .... why the hesitation?).

We could have a nice little local blog war that way. You could point to my blog and decry me for being an unadulterated apologist and I could point to you and accuse you of being a hater. It would make for wonderful drama ... of course to have any success I'd actually have to reference your opinions once or twice otherwise your readership would be ZERO.

So give it a go mate. Maybe there are lots of other "UAA fans" who think along your lines. Maybe they outnumber us idiots who are apparently blinded by our deep heartfelt desires to see our boys win.

All hail objectivist realism!!!

Anonymous said...

There seems to be two tiers in the league this year, lets at least stay close to the top five teams.
That starts tonite with a win on the road.
prediction 3 to 2 uaa.
Go seawolves.

akhockeyfanatic said...

It's an athlete's worst nightmare to find out they have a season-ending injury. My thoughts go out to Luka for a speedy recovery. He will be sorely missed.

Seawolves will hold their heads high as they skate onto the ice tonight. They've endured enough beatings and aren't going to take it anymore. I predict 3-1 win tonight. The talent is there; skate with a will to win.

Go Seawolves! Have one helluva game tonight.

annabelle said...

All the best to Luka. He will be missed. We have a group of experienced players that can win this game tonight. Come on Jonny, Backstrom, Lafranchise, Tuton, Hadadd, Parkinson, Grant and Clark!! Give it your all tonight!! We win 4-2.

None said...

Dunlop, you're great. I will never start a blog dedicated to the Seawolves for many reasons... not the least of which is that I have neither the time nor the interest in doing so. firedaveshyiak.com will not come to fruition by the labor of my hand. Besides, I'd rather post on your blog.

Again with the quotes around 'fan' eh? For some reason I believe that part of being a fan is diagnosing a problem in the program and taking steps to correct it, whats my problem? But truth be told you don't have a "deep heartfelt, desire" for anything except mediocrity, which is why you blindly support the current bumbling coaching staff.

Nope, I am, a Seawolves fan. And believe it or not, this is how most fans (though not blog posters apparently) feel, or have you not seen the empty Sully lately?

Also, "objective realism" is redundant.

Objective projection for tonight: 4-2 CC, won't be close though.

None said...

Oh yeah, Anchorage's very own William Rapuzzi, scored twice last night for CC... insult to injury.

Anonymous said...

not sure why naslund is playing first line power play every game.
Clark, grant and parkinson sit out the powerplay. worst powerplay in country.
is shyiak getting paid to play naslund. he has 1 goal this year.
He is a first year player.

None said...

Hallelujah!!!!! My prediction for yesterday was meant for today...

Wiles, 2 goals 1 assist, now holds the team lead for goals in league play. But you're right Dunlop, he's far from the best player on the team...

OnWiles! ONWOLVES!!!!!!

Anonymous said...

fan predicted the score today 3 to 2. and he does not knock the team

Anonymous said...

The team won the game the day, there is a different star everynite.
This team will suprise alot of wcha teams this year.
Great game Johnny

Anonymous said...

best team effort of the year,shyiak never gave up on his team tonite.
Freshman and sophomores contributed big time tonite.
Fan

Anonymous said...

wolves will be quiet now, bring on st. cloud, predictions next friday. A thanksgiving to remember, the third top rated team we knocked off, just wait till all our team is healthy.

Suze said...

Anon, Clark, Grant, Parkinson, Lunden ... they all play on the PP, not sure what games you are watching.

Naslund had the game winner tonight. He does a good job of crashing the net.

Anonymous said...

2 goals set up by others does not justify all the ice time he gets, shyiak has allowd a freshman more opportunities than any freshman I have seen in four years. I am not sure how the rest of the team reacts to the situation. Winning games as a team is all that matters. This team is getting ready for st. cloud. Stay healthy and have a safe trip home.
Let's filly the sully, fan's have no reason for not showing up now.

Anonymous said...

Maybe Shyiak is trying to send a message to the seniors. Tuton and Hunt have made some serious blunders this season.

I have no beef with Shyiaks line up, except to say he NEEDS to give Selby some ice time. He has stood by this team for 4 years now, with very limited playing time. Most players would have walked away by now. Give him some reward. Lets see him suited up this weekend.

Suze said...

It wouldn't be the first time a coach sat seniors and played underclassmen. I see it happen quite often.

This team needs to realize that in order for them to have success, they ALL need to give 100% effort every night. Play as a team, and never give up.

Now, let's see a win this Friday and get that monkey off your backs!

Anonymous said...

UAA, UAA, We are the seawolves and we are ready to play, shout it off the chugach. Holla atchur boyee

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