Adam Prudhomme
Editor
Napanee Raider goaltender Logan Vale is on the road to recovery after suffering a brain bleed during a game on Jan. 14.
Frighteningly enough, Vale went almost an entire week before experiencing any symptoms. The rookie net-minder had no idea how serious a fall behind the net the previous Sunday in Frankford had actually been and was in the starting lineup for Friday’s game at the SPC. During warm up he took a soccer ball to the head, but still felt good to play. It wasn’t until coming off the ice after the second period, having played a full 40 minutes while making 15 saves, that he told the training staff he felt dizzy and thought he may faint. Hannah Dafoe of the Raiders’ training staff told him he was done for the game and that he should visit the hospital. That proved to be a wise decision as a CT scan revealed the small brain bleed. Fortunately surgery wasn’t required and he will now rest in a dark room as he slowly begins the healing process.
Vale’s father Shane credited the Raider training staff for their vigilance in keeping Logan safe.
The injury will end the 19-year-old Trenton native’s season with a 12-9 record and a 2.79 GAA.