Hurlbut returns to injured list

By Kevin Oklobzija
Democrat and Chronicle

(Saturday, February 2, 2002) -- Mention Mike Hurlbut's name to Rochester Americans trainer Kent Weisbeck and it means one thing: job security.

Hurlbut went back on the injured list and this time he could face surgery if the herniated disk in his neck doesn't respond to medication.

Hurlbut thought the stiff neck he experienced over the past couple of weeks was nothing serious. But when the discomfort continued and he realized he had lost a great deal of strength in his right arm, he headed to the doctor and X-rays and an MRI revealed the herniated disk.

The Amerks captain said he was given an anti-inflammatory steroid, which may be his cure. If the condition subsides, he could play in 10 to 14 days.

"I was reading on-line about it and 75 to 80 percent of the cases respond to the anti-inflammatory medication," the 35-year-old defenseman said.

In the worst-case scenario, he would need surgery, and could miss the remainder of the regular season, or more. He has already missed 18 of 48 games because of groin muscle injuries.

"I think somebody has a Voodoo doll and they keep sticking pins in it," Hurlbut said.

Back on D: With Hurlbut and Doug Houda (stretched nerve in shoulder and neck) injured and Marc Busenburg sent back to Adirondack of the UHL, Mario Larocque moved back to the blue line from left wing, where he has played since mid December. Luc Theoret also played after sitting out the past six games.

Still sore: Tough-guy left winger Andrew Peters was unable to play Friday night against Albany. He suffered a hip flexor injury when he was sent cartwheeling by Jason Thompson's open-ice hit in the second period on Wednesday against Worcester.

New pre-game look: The Amerks are wearing new sweaters for the pre-game warmup through February, then will auction them off following the Feb. 24 game.

The burgundy sweaters -- with a subtle tie-dyed look -- have the Amerk crest, the player's name and number, plus a Pepsi logo on the shoulder. Pepsi has a contract with the Amerks for their usual pre-game warmup sweaters.

Proceeds from the auction will go to the Mary Cariola Children's Center. The center is a support program for underprivileged children.

In-rink shower: The combination of snow, rain and ice, then the high winds, apparently caused damage to a pipe in the roof of the arena, according to an Amerks spokesman. That made it necessary to rope off some 50 seats in the lower corner at the Court Street end due to leaking water.

Didn't they just renovate this place for some $45 million?

Gionta home -- to visit: Greece resident Brian Gionta remains on recall to the New Jersey Devils, and that could be a very good sign for the rookie right winger.

The Devils are notorious for sending their young players to Albany if there are breaks in the NHL schedule or if they're not playing much for the parent team.

But Gionta has been skating a regular shift for the Devils since his recent recall, so he wasn't sent back to the River Rats for the weekend NHL All-Star break.

Shaken up: Amerks right winger Milan Bartovic left the game with 2:43 to play after falling heavily on his right shoulder and head. He was tied up with winger Andres Salomonsson and lost his balance near the Albany blue line. He's expected to be fine for Sunday's 1 p.m. game at Philadelphia.

Sew 'em up: Milly Schenkel has been sewing Amerk sweaters and uniforms for nearly two decades but last night she had a new role. She served as the home team penalty box attendant.