Chanter healthy, returning to Dubuque lineup

Wednesday, 11.06.2013 / 3:28 PM

By Mike G. Morreale - NHL.com Staff Writer / 2014 NHL Draft blog

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2014 NHL Draft blog
Chanter healthy, returning to Dubuque lineup

Defenseman Dylan Chanter of the Dubuque Fighting Saints of the United States Hockey League is set to return to the lineup less than a month after sustaining a separated shoulder and concussion following a fight in an Oct. 12 game against the Cedar Rapids RoughRiders.

Chanter's availability was made official by the team in an announcement Wednesday. The 18-year-old, who will attend the University of New Hampshire beginning in 2014-15, was activated from the 25-day injured reserve list and he is eligible to play as soon as the team's next game, Friday against the Muskegon Lumberjacks.

"It's a great feeling to be back," Chanter told Dubuque's website. "I'm really excited to be back and get going. I couldn't give enough thanks to our trainer Sean Murdoch as well as all the staff in Cedar Rapids and Iowa City. They did a fantastic job and my neurologist couldn't have been a better guy. I'm excited to get back in the lineup. I really can't wait to be in the dressing room before a game and know I am about to play."

Chanter (6-foot-3.25, 213 pounds) was injured 8:02 into the second period against the RoughRiders when he fell to the ice after a fight with Corey Petrash. The 2014 NHL Draft-eligible native of Armstrong, British Columbia was transported to a local hospital for additional evaluation and testing after he was injured, and then was flown to Iowa City to be examined by a neurologist. He was released from the hospital later that night and returned to Dubuque, where he has been resting with his billet family. His mother also traveled from British Columbia to be with him.

The game was suspended after Chanter's injury, and will be resumed Nov. 12 from the point at which it was stopped, with 11:58 remaining in the second and Cedar Rapids holding a 2-0 lead.

Once he was cleared to practice approximately two weeks ago, Chanter rejoined his teammates on the ice. He's been practicing with the team at full contact recently and is ready to return to game action.

"We are excited to get Dylan back," Dubuque coach Matt Shaw said. "We wanted to make sure that all medical issues were behind him and he was cleared to play. He has been cleared and he's been practicing with us for about a week and a half. It's time for him to get back in the game and he's looking forward to being back on the ice at game pace. We are very excited to have him."

To open a roster space for Chanter, the Fighting Saints will return Jake Bushey to Kenai River of the North American Hockey League.

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