WHL Portland Winterhawks

Sweeter Sophomore Season for Sauer

Published on August 10, 2005 under Western Hockey League (WHL)
Portland Winterhawks News Release


Portland, OR - Cyclone, corkscrew, sidewinder, twister; all potential names for Michael Sauer's year, as 2005 has truly been a roller coaster ride for the young Winter Hawks' defenseman. Sauer began his WHL rookie season on the blueline with Braydon Coburn, but the smart, dependable d- man's season came to an abrupt halt on December 15, 2004. Two hip surgeries, months of rehabilitation, and a NHL Draft later, Michael Sauer now finds himself at Madison Square Garden, participating in the New York Rangers prospect development camp.

The Sartell, Minnesota native arrived in Portland as a 17-year-old, but it took little time to see that Sauer was not your typical rookie and that his hockey insight far exceeded his years. This was most evident when Winter Hawks head coach, Mike Williamson, placed him on the top defensive line with team captain, Braydon Coburn. Sauer went on to lead the team in plus/minus for most of the first half of the 2004-05 season. Michael recalls the beginning of last season, "I learned a lot and improved more in the first couple weeks than I had in my entire career to that point." Not only did Coburn and Sauer share the blueline, they carpooled, "I actually drove Braydon to the rink for awhile when he didn't have his car (laughs)...it was great playing with him (Coburn), he pushed me on the ice and gave me advice in the car."

Sauer's freshman WHL season was rolling along and he notched his first WHL goal on November 27, 2004 in Portland's 3-2 win over Calgary. Yet as the season progressed his performance was coming at a price, "I couldn't skate without discomfort or pain in my hip and when I turned (skated) to my left there was some clicking and cramping." A few weeks later, Michael and the Hawks embarked on a brief 3-game road trip. Sauer was +2 in Portland's 4-3 loss to Kelowna on December 11th and scored a goal and added an assist the following night as Portland fell to Kamloops 3-2 in overtime. Sauer's lack of maneuverability was very noticeable in the final game of the road trip and Michael played in what was his last 2004-05 game on December 15, 2004. Sauer was a scratch for the next couple of games. Then coach Williamson told him that he wouldn't be going on the next road trip and that his hip needed to be looked at. Just like that, Sauer's season was done.

Michael's Christmas break came early, but not his holiday. He went to Pittsburgh and a hip specialist determined that his left hip would require surgery. Michael was disappointed and relieved by the news, "It was frustrating playing with the pain and discomfort all the time, so I was just hoping that something could fix it."

Michael couldn't have asked for a better support system in dealing with the challenges of sport and in this case, injury. Michael's dad, Curt, pitched in the Minnesota Twins organization, and of his five brothers and sisters, Kent, was a 1998 NHL draft pick, brother Craig played in the NFL for both the Vikings and Falcons, and brother, Kurt, plays for the Colorado Avalanche. On top of that, this wasn't the first time that the exceptionally athletic Sauer family had seen a hip injury. At that time, Kurt was actually recovering from the same injury and surgery that Michael was about to have. Kurt was able to tell Michael about the experience, from what to expect to how to maximize his physical therapy. Such an unbelievable situation; two brothers sharing the same dream of playing pro hockey, experiencing the same pain and injury. Michael benefits so much from Kurt's hockey knowledge and experience, but recovering from injury may be prove to be one of the most valuable lessons that Kurt could have passed on to his younger brother.

Michael had the surgery in January and everything was going according to plan. He was reunited with his teammates for the first time since mid December when he returned to Portland in late March. Michael offered encouragement to his team as they prepared for a late season run. Meanwhile, Michael's focus lie completely on getting back on the ice and his physical therapy was promising. Then he received some shocking news. His hip specialist feared that the same injury was going to develop in the right hip, so they took preventative action and performed surgery in April. The second surgery came as a complete surprise, "I couldn't believe it, I'd have to do all the training and rehab all over again." Nevertheless, Sauer found the positive, "At least I knew what I had to do and I knew I could do it."

Immersed in rehab and dedicated to getting back on the ice, Sauer paid little attention to what was going on or not going on in the NHL. The NHL announced their return on July 13th and days later the focus shifted to the draft. Scouts had their eye on Sauer earlier in the year, but no one knew how his hip injuries would affect his stock, "I didn't expect a lot, I just wanted to get my foot in the door." That door appeared while Michael was training in Vancouver, BC, "My agent called and said that the Rangers wanted me to come to New York. I didn't really want to disrupt my rehab schedule, but it was the Rangers." Sauer met with Rangers coaches and personnel a couple of days before the draft and they must have liked what they saw. The New York Rangers picked Michael in the second round with the 40th overall selection. According to the Rangers, they had their sights set on Sauer heading into the draft, but they just didn't know if he was going to be there when it came their turn in the second round. Rangers Vice President of Player Personnel, Don Maloney, said that Sauer was their guy, "He was the guy we were going to be looking for. We were set to move down to get him...So for us to get him at 40 was a gift." Sauer is equally excited to be a Blueshirt, "The Rangers have been first class all the way and this place (Madison Square Garden) is phenomenal."

For Sauer it has been a whirlwind couple of weeks and now he and his foot are firmly positioned in the New York Rangers' door. This week Sauer joined top prospects, and each of the Rangers 2005 NHL Entry Draft picks in the Rangers weeklong prospect development camp. Rangers coaching staff, as well as head coach Tom Renney, are running the camp that includes on-ice practice sessions, off-ice training, nutrition education, and scrimmages. The roster includes eight WHL players.

After the camp Michael's focus will return to his conditioning. As he prepares for his sophomore WHL season, he says in reflection that the crutches, physical therapy, and rehab have not been the hardest part of his return process. Being forced off the ice and unable to play the game he loves has been most difficult, "It was extremely frustrating but it reinforced my love and commitment for the game." He added that it was just as frustrating not being able to contribute to the Winter Hawks when they could have used him most, "I could barely listen to the playoff series against Everett, but I'm looking forward to seeing them again."

The Silvertips aren't the only thing Sauer is looking forward to, "With 20-year-olds, Brian Woolger and Dan DaSilva returning, and the addition of Jonathan Bubnick, who guys here (other players at NY Rangers Prospect Camp) say is good, I expect us to be solid. With the rule changes defensemen will have to be more aware and anticipate more. The ice will be a lot more open and players can float more, so we (defensemen) will have to communicate better with one another. The changes should be fun but I am interested to see how the coaches around the league adjust."

Coach Williamson echoes the excitement of Michael's return, "We are expecting big things from Michael this year. With Braydon Coburn moving on, all of our veteran defensemen are going to be asked to increase their roles both on and off the ice. Michael made big strides in a short period of time last season and we expect him to draw from that experience and be a top two-way player that can be used in all key situations."

While spending months recovering, Michael still exhibits the same optimism that filled the Winter Hawks' locker room early in the 2004-05 season. And although his rookie season was limited to just 32 games, his roller coaster year has given him a mental edge, "I can get through anything now and I'm ready to take my game to the next level." Obviously, the Rangers and the rest of his supporters, believe what Michael's subtle confidence tells you-the best is yet to come.

Check out the Portland Winterhawks Statistics

Share: Facebook | Twitter/X | LinkedIn | Reddit | Email



Western Hockey League Stories from August 10, 2005


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

OurSports Central