Toronto Maple Leafs: Keith Aulie Goes Under the Knife and Grabo on the Mend

It revealed recently that newly acquired 20-year old defense man Keith Aulie will under go season ending shoulder surgery . 

Aulie is six foot six and weighs in at approximately 210 lbs. Arriving in Toronto as part of the blockbuster trade with the Calgary Flames not too long ago, it is expected that this soon to be 21-year old may play a major role on the Leafs blue line for years to come.

The one major knock against him seems to be that he is often a little clumsy, much like Zdeno Chara was when he was first starting out.

Keith Aulie has already shown the grit and determination it takes to succeed in the NHL, and this recent setback should prove to be a minor bump on the road to a quality career.

Three years ago while visiting his parent's farm, Aulie, then just 17, was thrust into a life and death rescue when his father's tractor plunged through the ice while clearing the snow for a family game of hockey. At perhaps the last possible moment, the tractor that had been trapping his father in an icy grave rolled just enough to allow Keith to reach in and pull his father to safety.

To this day, Aulie is looked upon by friends and family as a hero. But none so much as his father.

Grabovski Injury

While no charges were laid in the altercation involving Toronto Maple Leafs Mikail Grabovski last Friday, the Leafs and Grabovski are still being tight lipped about the whole affair as it is still under investigation.

Brian Burke was quoted as describing Grabo as both stupid and healthy following the incident.

For his part, Grabovski is looking to return quickly after the team resumes play Tuesday against Carolina. After breaking his wrist on Jan. 2, Grabo said during the teams first organized practice since the Olympics started, "There's a little pain, but I feel good."

Trade Deadline

Of course, the question that is weighing on every ones mind is, who will go at the deadline?

There has been a multitude of speculation and I'm sure it will get even more intense in the coming days; be sure to keep your eyes and ears open, there will be a large amount of activity I predict.

Although I predicted there would be more trades before the Olympic Trade Freeze, and there were in the neighborhood of twenty players moved between that publication and the roster freeze, I'm staring to think that we haven't seen anything yet.

Donate to MS Walk

Don't forget! It's that time of year again, or getting there.

Every year, my wife, my two children, and I participate in the MS Walk here in Orillia, Ontario Canada. We walk to raise funds to research a cure and usually manage to raise about $500 dollars a year!

Please help us make this the best year yet and make a pledge by following the link below!

http://msofs.mssociety.ca/2010WALK/Sponsor.aspx?&PID=1166396&L=2