Hand done for season - McCoy going to school

[Fight Guy]

reginapats.com

Regina, Saskatchewan – Regina Pats Senior VP and General Manager Chad Lang announced today that the decision has been made to suspend the play of 18-year old defenceman Tye Hand for the remainder of the season due to medical concerns.

The decision was made after discussion between the Regina Pats’ medical staff, hockey operations department and Tye Hand that, due to multiple concussions in consecutive years, it is in the best interest for Tye’s long term health and future that he spend the rest of the year recovering. Hand’s status will be re-evaluated in the off-season.

The Yellowknife, NWT product has played in 52 games since joining the Pats last season, chipping in with two assists and registering 134 penalty minutes.

Lang also announced 19-year old forward Marc McCoy has left the Pats to pursue academic interests this semester. McCoy played in all 36 games in the first half of the season, registering seven points (2G, 5A) over that span. McCoy has played 158 games in his WHL career, totaling 36 points along with 171 penalty minutes.

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Well, I guess that answers those questions. Sucks Hand is officially done for the season, but probably for the best.

[Fight Guy]

Whoops...guess I double posted that. Please delete the other thread, someone.

[chopper]

reginapats.com

Regina, Saskatchewan – Regina Pats Senior VP and General Manager Chad Lang announced today that the decision has been made to suspend the play of 18-year old defenceman Tye Hand for the remainder of the season due to medical concerns.

The decision was made after discussion between the Regina Pats’ medical staff, hockey operations department and Tye Hand that, due to multiple concussions in consecutive years, it is in the best interest for Tye’s long term health and future that he spend the rest of the year recovering. Hand’s status will be re-evaluated in the off-season.

The Yellowknife, NWT product has played in 52 games since joining the Pats last season, chipping in with two assists and registering 134 penalty minutes.

Lang also announced 19-year old forward Marc McCoy has left the Pats to pursue academic interests this semester. McCoy played in all 36 games in the first half of the season, registering seven points (2G, 5A) over that span. McCoy has played 158 games in his WHL career, totaling 36 points along with 171 penalty minutes.

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Well, I guess that answers those questions. Sucks Hand is officially done for the season, but probably for the best.

These announcements are not entirely surprising, but still problematic for the Pats. Hand's health has to be the primary consideration so I believe the only plausible decision was made.

Hand is an experienced and aggressive big body d-man that will be missing from the lineup. The Pats already soft defense just got softer. We needed one more big guy in addition to him. Now we would need two. This one happenstance could move us from potential buyers/upgraders to sellers.

McCoy had skating issues but did OK under Conacher's system. Cameron's system requires more skating and that exposed McCoy's limitations. It also impacted his defensive ability. He was 19 and relegated to the third line so he had to see the writing on the wall. It was primarily a numbers game.

All one can do is wish them the best in their future endeavours.