Sports

Thunderwolves centre injured after attack

Men’s Hockey

By Mike St. Jean

Jesse Pyatt was excited when the opportunity came to return home to Thunder Bay and play hockey for the Lakehead University Thunderwolves. However, on the evening of Saturday, September 6, the 29-year-old former OUA scoring champion was a victim of an alleged assault while he was leaving work, potentially jeopardizing his season and career in the process.
Pyatt, who is the older brother of Vancouver Canucks forward Taylor Pyatt and New York Rangers prospect Tom Pyatt, had been leaving work at a halfway house on Cameron Street when the attack occurred.
According to Lakehead hockey coach Don McKee, Pyatt suffered head injuries and is recovering at home after spending time in the hospital. It is unknown how severe the injuries are, but it is expected that the new recruit will be sidelined for training camp and is not expected to take to the ice until the September 26th game against Carlton at the earliest.
Prior to committing to Lakehead this summer, Pyatt last played for the Univeristy of Guelph for three seasons, leaving after the 2005/06 season in which he scored 26 goals and 21 assists for 47 points in only 24 games.
Pyatt was invited to the training camp of the Reading East Coast Hockey League team for the following season. It was during this camp that Pyatt suffered concussion-like symptoms, sidelining him for half of the season and eventually forcing him to leave the team without playing a game.
After nearly two full seasons away from hockey, Pyatt signed with Lakehead for what was supposed to be his final CIS season this fall. Although very little information is available on his condition, coach McKee remains optimistic that the player will join the Thunderwolves this season until he is able to fully evaluate how severe the injuries he suffered are.
The team hopes to be updated on the condition of Pyatt early this week. It is expected that some rehabilitation will be required due to the severity of the injuries and the risks that are associated with head injuries. There is currently no timeline as to when the player will be ready to play in game situations. Although the injuries are listed as serious, they are not life threatening and if all goes well he could be on the Wolves roster this season.