Streit's making strides toward a return
Islanders defenseman Mark Streit has missed the entire 2010-11 season so far with a shoulder injury suffered in training camp. Credit: Joe Rogate
Mark Streit's spin around the Nassau Coliseum ice yesterday with a dozen of his teammates was not a signature moment, even though it was the first time Streit has been on the ice in full equipment with more than just another injured teammate or a coach all season.
He still has a way to go before he'll be cleared to resume even serious practicing, much less playing a game for the Islanders, who only have 25 left.
But Streit, who has been out all season after injuring his shoulder in a scrimmage on Sept. 25, saw his 25-minute workout as another small step in the right direction. It may seem like an unnecessary endeavor, trying to return for a team that was 13 points out of the playoffs as of Wednesday; Streit begs to differ.
"When you have an injury like this, you set a goal. Mine was to play this season," he said. "Maybe some other people don't agree, but I'm a player. I want to play. And we'll see where that goes."
Streit has a follow-up visit with his orthopedist next week to do some testing on his surgically repaired shoulder. He'll know more then whether he can look forward to a real practice with his teammates in the coming weeks, or whether he'll be back skating four times a week on his own, as he's been doing for over a month now.
Another small thing in Streit's favor is that he hasn't had a setback during his four months of recovery.
"Whether it was lifting weights the first time, working out, skating or shooting pucks," he said. "It's a big positive for me, not just for now but in the future."
It's been easy to forget that Streit was going to anchor an improved defense back in training camp. Of the six Islanders projected to start the season on the blue line, only Radek Martinek and Andrew MacDonald are still on the team and healthy. Streit, Mark Eaton (hip), Mike Mottau (hip) and James Wisniewski (traded to the Canadiens) have been sidelined or dealt.
So he may not be too familiar with the defensemen he skated with Wednesday - Ty Wishart, Jack Hillen and Bruno Gervais were on with Streit - but Streit didn't care.
"It's just easier to be out there with the guys," he said. "It gets tough going out by yourself day after day."
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