In the pros: Former CC star Hillen anxious to be back
Former Colorado College standout Jack Hillen doesn’t have to feel anxious anymore.
Now that he’s cleared by doctors, the New York Islanders defenseman is expected to play Tuesday against Chicago, only a month after suffering a broken jaw and some knocked-back teeth from taking an Alex Ovechkin slap shot to the face. After the Jan. 26 injury, officials said Hillen wouldn’t be back until mid-March, if not later.
But then, it looked a lot worse than it felt, said Hillen, who has a new scar on his chin.
“I was more in shock than anything else. My face went numb,” he said of his first major injury. “Now I’m just ready to play.”
Back in the fall of 2008, Hillen thought he had arrived in the NHL. After two good games immediately after signing as a free agent April 1, 2008, he struggled in the first six games of the following season and was sent down to the American Hockey League for 33 games before finishing out the season in the NHL. This season, he had a career-high 16 points (14 assists) in 49 games before the injury.
“I told myself you don’t have very many opportunities to prove yourself in the pros,” he said. “Spending time in the AHL was good for me. I came back and played well and that carried over to this year.”
The Minnetonka native spent the last two weeks home in the Twin Cities skating hard so he’d be ready to play. He took time off to watch CC’s series at Minnesota last weekend with his wife Caitlin (Lazaro) Hillen and former Tigers teammate Brandon Polich.
He and Caitlin, who used to work at USA Hockey in Colorado Springs, were married seven months ago and the balance in his life has been good for Hillen.
“I know it's kind of hokey to say this, but ever since I met her my game has taken off,” he said. “It’s good to have someone to go home to and get away from hockey when you’re away from the rink. She supports me, which isn’t always easy with all the moving around. Still, we’re enjoying the ride.”
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Former CC players in the top North American pro leagues
NHL
Goalies Curtis McElhinney – Flames backup (3-4-0, 2.43 goals against, .885 save percentage)
Forward Toby Petersen – Stars (10 points, seven assists in 57 games), linemates with Mike Modano
Defenseman Mark Stuart – Bruins (four points, two goals in 39 games), expected to return from injury Tuesday
AHL (only those now playing are listed, stats as of Friday afternoon)
Defenseman Brian Connelly – Rockford (29 points, 25 assists)
Forward Joey Crabb – Chicago (40, 20 goals), fourth on team
Forward Mark Cullen – Rockford (45, 28 assists), leads IceHogs
Forward Trevor Frischmon – Syracuse (17, 12 assists)
Forward Scott McCulloch – Texas (17, 12 assists)
Defenseman Richard Petiot – Rockford (30, 24 assists), leads corps
Defenseman Tom Preissing – Lake Erie (20, 15 assists in 29 games) second among blue-liners
Forward Chad Rau – Houston (29, 15 assists) fourth on team
Defenseman Brian Salcido – Manitoba (14, seven goals) second among defensemen
Forward Marty Sertich – Lake Erie (28, 19 assists) fourth on Avs affiliate
Forward Brett Sterling – Chicago (54, 33 goals) leads Wolves
Forward Colin Stuart – Abbotsville (28, 16 assists); third on Heat
Goalie Matt Zaba – Hartford (6-9-1, 2.86, .910); some games as Rangers backup
