Jason Nightingale, the No. 2 scorer for Lake Superior State so far this year, will miss the remainder of the season after being diagnosed with an unspecified heart condition. Nightingale, a sophomore assistant captain, had been complaining of tiredness and a lack of stamina.
Nightingale, who has nine goals and 15 points, joins a lengthy list of sidelined Lakers, though his is the most worrisome situation. Junior Jeremy Bachusz, seniors Ryan Knox and Klemen Kelgar, sophomore Trevor Weisgerber, and freshman Chad Dahlen are all currently out with injuries or illness. Nightingale’s younger brother, Adam, came off the injured list just three weeks ago after missing most of his freshman season with a broken hand.
“Obviously, this is another disappointing development for us,” said Laker coach Scott Borek. “Our goals for the season remain the same, and the players able to take the ice will have to carry on. At this point, we all pray that Jason will respond to treatment, recover fully and be able to play again next season. His well-being is the important thing.”
The Lakers have lost more than 90 man games to injury and illness this season, including a stretch of 21 games in which a Laker captain or assistant has been out of the lineup.
Bachusz is out for the season with Epstein-Barre virus, while Kelgar is gone for the year with ruptured discs in his back. Knox is sidelined indefinitely with a hamstring pull, while Dahlen is out with a leg injury suffered in the Wayne State series in October. Weisgerber remains out, suffering the affects of a concussion sustained several weeks ago.
