Wisconsin
Zach Schulz is nearing a return from injury. Will he play in the Frozen Four?
LAS VEGAS – Wisconsin hockey’s Zach Schulz is skating and practicing with the team, but is he ready to return to game action?
The Badgers’ junior defenseman, who is a New York Islanders draft pick, has been out since Dec. 6 due to a broken leg he suffered against Notre Dame. Badgers coach Mike Hastings has noted that the 6-foot-1, 194-pound lefty was working toward a possible return this season.
Thursday, April 9 would be as good of a time as any.
Outside of Michigan, North Dakota, the Badgers’ opponent in the national semifinal at 4 p.m. Thursday at T-Mobile Arena, will be the most prolific scoring team they’ve faced this season. The Fighting Hawks have 11 20-point scorers and rank third in the nation in scoring with 3.85 goals per game.
If Schulz’s return is going to happen, now would seem to be the time. Then again, maybe not.
“I do believe part of my responsibility or our responsibility as a program is to put young people in positions to succeed,” Hastings said during a press conference Wednesday April 8 at T-Mobile Arena. “We asked them to do the work, and he has done all the work.”
The Badgers’ blue line has been hit hard by injuries. In addition to Schulz, junior Logan Hensler is done for the year with a lower leg injury he suffered against Minnesota Jan. 31. Schulz was on the No. 1 line at the time of his injury. Hensler was part of the No. 2 group.
Their absences partially explains some of the struggles the Badgers have had at times on defense. Getting a piece of that D-core back would provide a boost for a unit that will need to be on top of its game against North Dakota.
Hastings said he plans to talk with Schulz on Wednesday night.
“This has been a process that both of us committed to with our unbelievable training staff and doctors that are here and with his effort, he’s put himself in a position to be in that conversation,” Hastings said. “When (the injury) happened, we were hoping that would be the case, and that’s the case.”