A hitting recovery

A local athlete is returning to hockey as he heals from an injury he acquired while playing baseball.

On Dec. 3, Aaron Langlois, 20, suited up and became the latest member of the Leamington Flyers of the Greater Ontario Junior Hockey League. Langlois, an Essex native pitched for the Windsor Selects and most recently Saginaw Valley State University where he had a scholarship. Langlois is recovering from Tommy John surgery 15 months ago. The surgery is done to repair the ulnar collateral ligament in the elbow. Doctors replaced the injured UCL with another tendon taken elsewhere from the body.  

Langlois played for the Windsor Jr. Spitfires AAA organization at the major midget level in the 2011-2012 season, while also playing for his high school hockey team. He believes playing his last eligible year of hockey will help him strengthen his arm and put him in a better position when he returns to baseball next fall.

Langlois says he feels he is up for the challenge of playing Junior ‘B’ hockey. He said he would have started the season with the Flyers had it not been for his cloudy school situation.

In terms of schooling, Langlois said the timing didn’t work out this year and decided against going back in January. He plans on continuing his rehab along with working and will be heading back next fall to SVSU to continue his education.

“I’ve been rehabbing for the last 15 months and it feels good,”  said Langlois. “I’ve been skating for a bit and feel my body has improved along with my hockey skills. I’ve got a big body and I hope to bring the physicality  the team needs. ”

Head coach of the Flyers, Tony Piroski said he thinks Langlois can be a large contributor for the team as they look to defend their league championship.

 

“He’s got some size, strength and plays with a lot of grit and that’s some of the stuff we needed,” said Piroski. “He’s a little rusty being off the ice for so long but he has a great work ethic. He’s played with a lot of these guys a few years back so he’s a welcomed addition to the team on and off the ice.”

While Langlois was held off the scoresheet in his debut, he is optimistic good things will come.

“I think I got the nerves out in the first period, my first couple of shifts,” said Langlois. “I think I can set up my teammates, put the puck in the net and bring my big body, whatever the team needs.”