Giants forward Reese hurts knee, out for a month

[Beaner]

from www.theprovince.com

Steve Ewen
The Province


Sunday, September 11, 2005



Jason Reese will have to wait for his chance to be a top-six forward with the Vancouver Giants.

Reese, 17, who was expected to rise up the depth chart in his sophomore WHL campaign, suffered a knee injury in Friday's 4-2 exhibition win over the Tri-City Americans in Kennewick, Wash., and the early prognosis is that he'll miss at least four weeks.

The Giants believe it's a ligament injury, but weren't sure Saturday whether it was a sprain or a tear. General manager Scott Bonner, who was in Saskatoon Saturday on a scouting mission, did say that he wouldn't be surprised if the Oregon-born centre wasn't back until "after Christmas."

Vancouver has already lost four forwards from their year-end top two lines to graduation (Adam Courchaine and Triston Grant), trades (Matt Robinson) and NHL clubs (Cam Cunning), and are in jeopardy of losing another with every first-rate outing Gilbert Brule has at the Columbus Blue Jackets training camp.

Reese, the Giants' top pick, seventh overall, in the 2003 WHL Bantam Draft, was a candidate for a scoring role this year. He had five goals and nine assists in limited ice time in 57 games last year.

The Giants open the regular season Sept. 23 by visiting the Kelowna Rockets.

The Tri-City game continued the string of stellar play this preseason from rookie netminder Tommy Tartaglione, as the California native made 31 stops.

The 17-year-old has been so good so far in the preseason that Bonner admits that other teams have been calling asking if he's available in a trade. Bonner said he's not interested in moving the young goaltender.

sewen@png.canwest.com

© The Vancouver Province 2005

Hope it isnt as serious as it sounds. Get well soon Jason.

[Beaner]

Word is it is a torn MCL injury and he will be out 6-8 weeks. Luckily, injuring the MCL is the better compared to an ACL injury.

Speedy recovery Jason.

[Stay-Puft]

Reese looked awfully good during the time he was playing. I hope he makes a speedy and full recovery.
Tartaglione looked great against TC and Portland. I only saw a little of the Spokane game. He did give up at least one goal early in the first, but it was a pretty good play. Every goal that I saw him give up was well deserved.