Patenaude return not impossible

Michael Hawkins/Saint John Sea Dogs

Could goaltender Noah Patenaude return to the Saint John Sea Dogs this season?

In a radio interview during Friday's Sea Dogs game in Rimouski, team president and general manager Trevor Georgie said it is possible - but there are no guarantees.

Patenaude has been out of the Sea Dogs lineup since suffering an injury during the team's Dec. 4 game in Sherbrooke.

"The good news is that the injury is not as bad as we thought it was in January," Georgie explained. "He's had an operation. He's healing from the operation and he's recovering at home in Switzerland. We would expect Noah to have a quicker recovery than most for the type of injury that he has sustained because of his naturally athletic state.

"It's possible he could be ready to return to on-ice practice and play before the Memorial Cup is complete. Initially were weren't optimistic but now based on the treatment and recovery, it's possible. Is it probable? I'm not sure. I'm not a doctor and so many things depend on the recovery period. But what seemed impossible at one point is certainly possible."

The 19-year-old is in his third season with the Sea Dogs. He was having a strong year before the injury, posting a 7-2-2 record to go along with a 2.96 goals against average and a .914 save percentage.

The Sea Dogs' concern about Patenaude's injury was apparent during the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League trade period when they acquired two goaltenders - Nikolas Hurtubise from Victoriaville and Thomas Couture from Moncton.