jono2009 Posted February 6, 2013 Share Posted February 6, 2013 Good read on Steve. I like Volpatti, will be nice for Canucks when Pinozotto gets his chance. Steve Pinizzotto watched a fellow Rochester Institute of Technology alumnus score his first NHL goal on Monday night. That would be Canucks defenceman Chris Tanev, who took 63 games to achieve the lofty feat, putting one off the post with seconds left in overtime in Edmonton. It was a huge deal on the New York state school’s campus on Tuesday, and just as big for Pinizzotto, who’s with the Canucks’ Chicago Wolves AHL farm club. “He was actually one of my best buddies when he was here (during the NHL lockout) and I wish nothing but the best for him,” said Pinizzotto over the phone from Chicago. “He’s just a great person. It couldn’t happen to a better guy. To score your first goal in overtime, I’m pretty happy for him.” Pinizzotto, who played at RIT for two seasons (2005-06 and 2006-07), but was never a teammate of Tanev (2009-10) with the Tigers, would like nothing better than to follow in his footsteps and become the second player from the school to get into an NHL game. Due to injury, that’s been on hold for two seasons now, but Pinizzotto — a hard-edged fourth line winger who finishes his checks — is close to being available for selection should the Canucks suffer any damage in their bottom-six forward ranks. Pinizzotto has been out since Nov. 24, when he suffered a partial tear in his groin. Surgery wasn’t necessary, but he didn’t expect it would keep him out this long. He’s back practising with the team, but hasn’t been cleared for contact yet. “I’m pretty close (to playing), it’s within two weeks,” said Pinizzotto. “It’s feeling pretty good. I’m not quite pain-free yet. I’m just getting back to being on the ice and feeling more confident. It’s something you can’t rush.” The Canucks signed the 6-foot-1, 200-pounder as a free agent in the summer of 2011 as part of an initiative to add some grit after losing to the Bruins in the Stanley Cup final. It appeared he had an inside track on an NHL job after two preseason games, but in the third his attempted hit on huge San Jose defenceman Douglas Murray ended badly when a tumble into the boards seriously damaged his shoulder. The resulting surgery cost him the whole season. Vancouver thought enough of Pinizzotto to re-sign him to another one-year, two-way deal ($600,000/$275,000) and he was having a good start to his season (4-6-10 in 17 games, 25 PIMs) when the groin injury struck, negating any chance of attending the Canucks’ brief training camp in January. Did the year off from playing games contribute to the injury? Maybe, but Pinizzotto says the hockey part of it was feeling good. “I felt like I was getting comfortable quickly,” he said. “I was playing with some offensive guys and that was helping out. Now, coming off this injury, I feel I’m right up to par with the other guys, too.” The reality is that Pinizzotto is still on the outside looking in. That’s tough to take for a guy who got as far as the pre-game skate with Washington in March, 2009, before being scratched. “I feel like I’m one of the unluckiest guys in the sport right now,” he said. “I’m trying to bang down a door that has a deadbolt instead of a regular lock. I guess some things come easier for some guys, but that’s stuff you can’t worry about. If it happens, it happens.” © Copyright © The Province Read more: http://www.theprovince.com/sports/Canucks+Hard+edged+Pinizzotto+waits+wings/7923210/story.html#ixzz2K9Eof87S Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TotesMagotes Posted February 6, 2013 Share Posted February 6, 2013 He's been so unlucky with injuries, but i think he's a real solid bottom 6 winger when he gets healthy, always liked this guy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ice orca Posted February 6, 2013 Share Posted February 6, 2013 The only break Pinner can catch is on his body, no luck at all. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Boudrias Posted February 6, 2013 Share Posted February 6, 2013 He is a shade light and a half step slow. I cannot see who he will bump to the bench. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cIutch Posted February 6, 2013 Share Posted February 6, 2013 weise isnt doing anything right now if he keeps it up slot pinozotto in when hes ready Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tortorella's Rant Posted February 6, 2013 Share Posted February 6, 2013 All due respect to Steve, but he's soon to be 29 years old and has never played an NHL game for a reason. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peace Bond Posted February 6, 2013 Share Posted February 6, 2013 When healthy, Pinizzotto in, Weise out. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cIutch Posted February 6, 2013 Share Posted February 6, 2013 All due respect to Steve, but he's soon to be 29 years old and has never played an NHL game for a reason. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tearloch7 Posted February 6, 2013 Share Posted February 6, 2013 Never let the dream die .. I hope he gets a chance .. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tortorella's Rant Posted February 6, 2013 Share Posted February 6, 2013 well the canucks were real high on him before both his injuries so im sure there still going to give him a shot hes an grinder , not a guy wanting big minutes and big money , who cares what age he is i swear the only people who think younger = better are dumb teenagers/ oiler fans Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
4thLineGrinder Posted February 6, 2013 Share Posted February 6, 2013 All due respect to Steve, but he's soon to be 29 years old and has never played an NHL game for a reason. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jai604 Posted February 6, 2013 Share Posted February 6, 2013 Horrible, horrible luck with the injury bug for Steve. If not for his injuries we might have seen him in a Canucks uni quite a while ago. Hope he gets a shot. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cIutch Posted February 6, 2013 Share Posted February 6, 2013 The Canucks were also high on Isbister, Richtie, and Marc Chouinard, Keith Carney and Eric Weinrich. Let me know how many players @ the old age of 29 have made the NHL and actually held onto a roster spot permanently. There's a reason why players like Pinozotto missed the boat Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jono2009 Posted February 6, 2013 Author Share Posted February 6, 2013 No harm or foul if he gets a chance. Keep an eye on Weise. Then pull up Pinner Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snake Doctor Posted February 6, 2013 Share Posted February 6, 2013 Eric Weinrich, didn't he retire after we picked him up at the deadline. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Raffi Torres's Smirk Posted February 6, 2013 Share Posted February 6, 2013 Torres 2.0? I'd be so amped to see him in the lineup. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spoosh Posted February 6, 2013 Share Posted February 6, 2013 Pinozotto Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WL Canuck Fan Posted February 6, 2013 Share Posted February 6, 2013 Eric Weinrich, didn't he retire after we picked him up at the deadline. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
frazzY Posted February 6, 2013 Share Posted February 6, 2013 The Canucks were also high on Isbister, Richtie, and Marc Chouinard, Keith Carney and Eric Weinrich. Let me know how many players @ the old age of 29 have made the NHL and actually held onto a roster spot permanently. There's a reason why players like Pinozotto missed the boat Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DeNiro Posted February 6, 2013 Share Posted February 6, 2013 Pinizzotto brings everything Weise does, except he can also provide offense. Pinizzotto>>Weise Pinizzotto - Lapierre - Volpatti Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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