Tate, Turgeon shrug off injuries to land in lineup

Adam Tate wondered if he would ever be able to reassemble his hockey career and Eric Turgeon kept spraining his ankle.

But Tate, who has been hampered by instability in the pubic bone area, and Turgeon will return to the University of Maine men’s hockey lineup tonight when the Bears host Bob Gaudet’s Dartmouth College Big Green.

The loss of injured centers Brendan Walsh and Bobby Stewart to knee injuries and left wing Barrett Heisten to the U.S. National Junior team have opened up a spot for Tate. Turgeon is replacing Doug Janik, who has also joined the U.S. National Junior team. Defenseman A.J. Begg has been moved up to forward.

Tate has missed the last 11 games and Turgeon has missed the last eight.

Both know they will need to play well to secure playing time when the departed players return in January.

“I got hurt eight months ago in a game against Northeastern and a month ago I wondered if I would ever be able to skate normally,” said Tate. “Early this season, by the end of a week of practice, I could barely skate.”

Tate saw several doctors and was finally given a set of exercises that has made a “big difference.” He does the exercises for an hour a day.

“I feel pretty good now. I feel a little better every day. I definitely don’t want to watch any more games,” said Tate, who figures himself to be at 85 percent.

Tate, who was a defenseman last year, said he wouldn’t be able to play defense with his injury right now because of all the pivoting and the defensive zone battles for position.

At wing, there isn’t nearly as much pivoting or contact.

“I’m going to try to play it smart and not get out of position,” said the sophomore from Kanata, Ontario. “Defense will be my first priority but if I get a chance, I’d like to get involved in the offense. And I’m going to play the body. As soon as the game starts, I’m not going to hold anything back.”

Augusta’s Turgeon, a redshirt freshman, said he feels “as good as I have in a while.

“The big thing for me is I can’t try to fill anybody’s shoes,” said Turgeon. “I’ve just got to play my game. I’ve got to play the body and play good defense.”

Maine coach Shawn Walsh said the positive aspect of having four players missing is “a lot of guys like Adam and Eric will get the opportunity to show they can play.

“Eric has looked good. Hopefully, he’ll provide us with a real strength on the blue line. The stronger he plays, the better he is,” said Walsh. “Adam is a smart player and a competitor. He’s a street-wise guy who has played a lot of hockey. Hopefully, he can fill a role for us.”