The third trade in Braden Appleby's WHL career won't require a change in address.
Just a change in apparel.
The 20-year-old forward, who's out for six weeks with a knee injury, has been asked by Regina Pats head coach Curtis Hunt to help out behind the bench during his recovery.
Appleby accepted the offer and will officially trade in his jersey for a suit and tie tonight against the host Prince Albert Raiders.
"It's kind of an honour that they have enough respect for me to ask me to do something like that," said Appleby, a product of Viking, Alta. "Sitting in the stands every day, it's hard. Even though I'm injured and I want to play, (helping out on the bench) is going to be something interesting and something to look forward to."
It's rare for injured players to serve in a coaching capacity, but Appleby is an exception to the rule. The Red Deer Rebels used goalie Cam Ondrik in a similar capacity during his last season before hiring him the next year as a full-time assistant.
Although Appleby is relatively new to Regina -- acquired on Sept. 4 from the Vancouver Giants -- he wears an A on his chest and is one of the team's most trusted leaders.
The coaches love his work ethic, outgoing personality and positive attitude.
"I'll just bring some energy to the bench," Appleby said of his new role. "Obviously I'm not going to be telling the boys what to do, but just bring some energy and help out where I can.
"If guys have a good shift, let them know. If you can help them out to do something better, you let them know. It'll be just like I'm sitting there but I won't have any equipment on."
Hunt planted the bug earlier this week when he approached Appleby about the possibility of a future in coaching.
Incidentally, it wasn't the first time the subject had come up.
"A couple summers ago I was a team leader at an under-17 provincial camp in Calgary," recalled Appleby. "I had a team there and I did a little bit of work with them. I just like doing it. I've always had an interest in coaching. When we were talking about it and Huntsy asked me, it kind of sparked that again.
"It's kind of a chance to get a taste and see what it's like," he added. "I can watch the whole game and think about what our team is doing instead of just what I'm doing. Just kind of have a little different perspective."
The timing of Appleby's injury is poor for the Pats, who are trying to hold off the Moose Jaw Warriors in the East Division playoff race.
But if Appleby's rehabilitation goes well, he's still on target to be back in early to mid-March. Regina concludes the regular season on March 20 against the Warriors.
"If he gets back, it'll be right in the thick of it," noted Hunt. "I want him to maintain involvement as much as possible to see the little tweaks and changes we do so he can jump in without missing a stride."
Appleby's injury, a partially torn MCL, is similar to the one that kept Jon Bubnick out of Regina's lineup for eight weeks.
It's the first major injury of Appleby's four-year WHL career. This is his final season of junior eligibility.
"It potentially could have been the last game I ever played in the league," noted Appleby, who was hurt last Friday against the Lethbridge Hurricanes. "I definitely want to play some more games. We'll just work at it as hard as we can so I can get back before the playoffs
