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Ritchlin out for rest of season

By Nicholas J. Cotsonika
Daily Sports Editor

After suffering an injury that is more common to car accidents than hockey games, freshman Sean Ritchlin will have to sit out the rest of the season, Michigan coach Red Berenson said yesterday.

Ritchlin underwent emergency surgery at 8 a.m. Sunday morning to relieve pressure in his right thigh caused by internal bleeding. He has had two surgeries since -- one Monday morning and the other yesterday -- and has been in intensive care at University Hospitals since his arrival.

Ritchlin may be moved out of intensive care today.

"He's doing well under the circumstances, but this is very tough for a kid," Berenson said. "It's hard when you have an injury you don't think is much, and then it becomes a crisis."

Initially, the Michigan training staff didn't think Ritchlin had suffered anything worse than a charlie horse.

Ritchlin was hit during the third period of the Wolverines' 2-2 tie with Ohio State Saturday. He had to leave the ice, but it was thought that the problem was just a deep thigh bruise.

At about 2 a.m., however, Ritchlin was rushed to the hospital by his parents, who were visiting from Ritchlin's hometown of Rochester, N.Y.

Doctors diagnosed Ritchlin with "compartment syndrome" after they saw the extent of the swelling of Ritchlin's thigh. The malady is basically severe internal bleeding that builds up enough pressure to require quick relief.

"It's like putting three pounds of sausage into a one-pound skin," Berenson said. "Pretty soon it's going to go."

Michigan's trainer, Rick Bancroft, said this type of injury is often the result of automobile accidents. He said that he hadn't seen a case in hockey.

The biggest worry Ritchlin faces now is the threat of infection, Berenson said.

But Berenson did find some solace in the fact that Ritchlin's injury could have been much worse.

"It's a blessing that he didn't hurt his knee," Berenson said. "If he had done that, it might have been career-ending instead of season-ending."

Ritchlin's family and teammates have been with him throughout the ordeal. The Wolverines have been over to see their fallen comrade all week, and they even hung Ritchlin's maize game sweater in his hospital cubicle as inspiration.

"We just wanted him to know we're thinking about him and that he's still a big part of this team," Michigan captain Steven Halko said. "The whole team's been there the last three days."

Ritchlin had only missed one of Michigan's 28 games so far this season. He had seven goals and seven assists for 14 points.

OTHER INJURIES: Michigan center Brendan Morrison, who missed the Wolverines' last two games due to a wrist injury, will be back this weekend at Notre Dame and Illinois-Chicago.

Forward Justin Clark is still battling a knee injury. He has skated this week, and Berenson is hoping he can practice with the team soon enough to make it back for the Michigan-Notre Dame matchup Feb. 16 at the Palace of Auburn Hills.

With the absence of Ritchlin and Clark, Berenson's lineup has lost its depth. Instead of taking an extra forward and defenseman on the road this weekend, the Wolverines will be forced to take two defensemen instead.