BY DAVE HELLER
Enquirer contributor
Jeff Greenlaw was caught in a Catch-22 for most of the season. Because he suffered a torn anterior cruciate ligament last year, his play suffered this season and, thus, so did his ice time. But he couldn't improve his knee unless he was playing more.
"You just can't give away ice time," said coach Ron Smith. Greenlaw finally started getting more playing time about two months ago, which coincided with his knee feeling much better. "I don't think our team in general -- and he was one of them -- was as energetic, enthusiastic and eager as we wanted to be," Smith said. "But looking back, in his case, it was just a matter of taking that (much time) to adjust. It's a long road back."
"My knee was feeling a lot better anyway, so my game kind of picked up just in time for the playoffs, which is great," said Greenlaw, who was given a lot of credit by Smith for the Cyclones first-round win over Grand Rapids. "No better time to have everything feeling good."
Greenlaw made a comeback for the playoffs last season, too, which he regrets. He had surgery in January and came back to play in just three months.
"That was amazing to do that," Smith said. "But he still had a lot of rehab to do."
Because Greenlaw wasn't able sprint, run or do strenuous bike exercises during the offseason, he lost some speed. Greenlaw says he knows he lost a step, but he hopes to regain it over the summer. One thing Greenlaw won't have next season will be a knee brace. He recently stopped wearing one during practice, but still wears it during games. Dr. Tim Kremcheck, who operated on Greenlaw, says he likes to have braces off patients 18 months after surgery, at the most. Smith said Greenlaw is close to being back to the player he was two years ago; Greenlaw thinks his knee is probably 95-percent healed.
The Cyclones have an option on Greenlaw's contract, and he said he wants to return. But Smith has given no indication of his offseason plans.
CYCLONES: Gilbert Dionne will get more than an award for being named to the first team of the IHL's all-star squad. He will pocket some bonus money as well. But Dionne hopes the award will have a more far-reaching effect.
"It's good for my resume," he said. "Who knows, I might get a shot at the NHL again. Just like in the movies -- (actors) win an Oscar (and) they get recognition the following year.
Brent Fedyk is also hoping to parlay recent success into a return engagement in the NHL.
"In my situation, I need to have a good playoffs," Fedyk said. "Hopefully I get an opportunity (in the NHL). The longer I play, maybe there's more chance someone will see me and things will go well."
Fedyk has 403 games of NHL experience, with Detroit, Philadelphia and Dallas. Dionne has played in 223 NHL games, with Montreal, Philadelphia and Florida. Neither has played in the NHL since the 1995-96 season.
Fedyk is one of four former Detroit Vipers on the Cyclones, along with Todd Simon and David Williams, and Steve Roberts, who has yet to dress in the playoffs.
"There wouldn't be anything sweeter than to beat out my old team," Simon said. Said Williams: "You always want to beat a team you played for to show them you're still a top-notch player and they're missing out on it. It is extra incentive."
Smith said Chris Bergeron and Olaf Kjenstad will join the team as soon as their Columbus (Ga.) team finishes play in the Central Hockey League championship. The pair could be in Cincinnati by Friday.
DUCKS: Cincinnati has targeted potential free agents, but general manager David McNab said the team has made no offers. The team has talked to several players, but is waiting for the AHL and IHL playoffs to conclude, in deference to their current teams.
Dates to note: June 1 - Players 25 or older with three years pro experience but less than 80 games of NHL experience become free agents. Included in this group is Jeff Nielsen, who began the season in Cincinnati. June 26 - Expansion draft. June 27 - NHL entry draft.
