Paul Moran has been an Elite Leaguer from the beginning.
However, after suffering another dislocated shoulder he's been ruled out until next season and his long-term future is suddenly cloudy.
Fortunately, the British league is the place for comeback players and Moran has a good chance at returning to the top flight, providing his rehab goes as scheduled.
Moran's been a regular in the EIHL since 2003, and Hull coach Rick Strachan is convinced that the 25-year old belongs in the league.
“He’d be a great asset to any team on or off the ice,” Strachan told skysports.com.
“When he went out there he played hard and proved that he can play at this level – he’s definitely good enough.”
Moran appeared in 30 games for the Stingrays, playing extra minutes in the wake of injuries to fellow defencemen Troy Neumeier and Stuart Kerr. His injury is the latest setback for a Hull side that has been up against it since the first puck dropped.
“He wasn’t healthy all year but he made a huge contribution to the team,” Strachan said.
“Hopefully he can get the surgery done as soon as possible and come back next year. He did a great job, he was injured first in September and toughed it out for us.”
The news of Moran's injury came only days after Strachan had crossed his fingers and wished for better luck this year.
“2008 has been a rough year for Hull Stingrays with injury after injury," said Strachan in a Stingrays press release.
"They are not one to two week injuries, they are three to four month injuries. But we will put 2008 behind us and hope 2009 is kinder."
Moran started the 2008/09 campaign by dislocating his shoulder in a fight with Sheffield's Andrew Sharp. He ended it playing against the Steelers on Saturday. In between he gave his all in a turbulent year for the Stingrays.
For Moran, a kind 2009 would mean that his rehab goes to plan and he's rewarded with a roster spot on opening day. After going through what he has this season, you get the feeling he deserves it.
Good luck.
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