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Injuries, Call Ups Give
Caffaro Ice Time

November 19, 2009

By Jonathan Bombulie
Sports Writer
Citizens' Voice

WILKES-BARRE TWP., Pa. - Defenseman Lane Caffaro did a short, four-game stint with the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins late last season after completing his senior year at Union College.

The idea was to let him get a head start on his pro career by dipping his toe into the AHL pool.

Who knew it would be enough to make him the third most experienced defenseman the Penguins will dress when they visit the Hartford Wolf Pack on Thursday night?

A rash of injuries in Pittsburgh this month led to former ECHL defensemen Deryk Engelland, Ben Lovejoy and Nate Guenin being summoned to the parent club.

That leaves sixth-year pro Chris Lee, who played for the Florida Everblades his first three seasons, and third-year pro Jon D'Aversa, who played for the Wheeling Nailers his first two seasons, as the graybeards of Wilkes-Barre/Scranton's six-man defense corps.

Rookies Brian Strait, Robert Bortuzzo and Alex Grant hadn't played a pro game before this October.

"Things change fast," Caffaro said. "We knew coming into the year that injuries play a big part in pro hockey. I was aware that there were going to be opportunities at some point to get more ice time and play a different role. You just have to be ready for it all the time."

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