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Clouston hopeful Shaw will return in first round of playoffs

Mar 14, 2018 | 3:03 PM

MEDICINE HAT, AB — Mason Shaw is inching closer to returning to the Medicine Hat Tigers lineup in time for the playoffs.

During a media availability on Wednesday, Tigers head coach Shaun Clouston told CHAT News the elite-level forward feels he is ready to return to the ice after missing the entire regular season with a torn ACL.

“I think he’s excited, I think he believes he can go,” Clouston said. “We just have to wait for final approval from Minnesota (Wild), so he’ll go through some testing there and if and when they see fit, they’ll clear him.

“I know he believes he’s ready.”

Drafted by the Wild in the fourth round (97th overall) last year, Shaw suffered the injury during a prospects tournament game on September 10 at the Wild’s training camp when a player fell on his right leg.

A MRI discovered the tear to the ligament, and he underwent surgery on September 25.

In January, Shaw received clearance to resume skating, and took to the ice for the first time during a practice at the Canalta Centre in February.

Clouston also revealed goaltender Jordan Hollett, who has been cleared to resume action by the Ottawa Senators after suffering a lower body injury last month, may return to the Tigers lineup this weekend.

“I think we’ll see how it goes today and tomorrow,” he said. “If it all goes well, I think we’ll be shooting for Saturday, trying to get him a game before the playoffs. That’s the plan right now, and hopefully it stays that way.”