By Ethan Ready

Final JR Season

The road to recovery leads to Tanner Main successfully completing final junior season

May 7, 2021 | 6:07 PM

PRINCE GEORGE – Back in the fall, a member of the Spruce Kings went down with an unfortunate injury. A fractured fibula and torn ligaments led to a long road to recovery, and as a result, the long road to the BCHL sorting out its season was a welcomed sign of hope for him.

As short as the pod season has been for the Prince George Spruce Kings down in Chilliwack, it’s one that nearly didn’t even happen for defenceman Tanner Main.

“It was tough,” admitted the 21-year-old. “That was kind of our last exhibition game back in November. The only good thing that came of it is that I didn’t really miss much, just practicing and training.”

But he knew he had a long road ahead of him. Main got his surgery done in Prince George before heading back home to Welland, Ontario. It was there he went through physio and rehab in order to just walk and build up strength, not even worrying about being in hockey shape.

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“I didn’t really know what was ahead of me, or how long it would take for me to get on my feet or in skates. Luckily, physio went well. Rehab went well. I was able to get back out here and then we heard we were playing again, so kinda nice to not miss that much. I’m back playing games and I’m happier than ever right now.”

While the majority of the Spruce Kings players were still in Prince George practicing and training, Main was back in Ontario looking at the BCHL continuing to push back the season as a positive sign.

“For me, every month hearing that nothing was really opening up and they were just going to keep pushing the season back, it was good news for me because it just gave me more time.”

But, as long as that return to the ice may have been, he’s grateful for both his own health and the opportunity to play hockey.

“Pushing through everything, we’ve ended up having a season,” said Main. “I know other provinces or teams aren’t playing right now, so for our sake, we’re really lucky to be in this position.”

Able to get one final junior season before he heads off to Bentley University in the NCAA Division 1 ranks, Main has embraced the personal growth from this year.

“When I got my injury, I was a little worried. Your last year of junior before going to school is a big step for you. You grow a lot as a person and on the ice, so I was a little worried in that regard. But I’m really excited to go to Bentley next year. Right now, being able to play and get some confidence back, especially with my injury. Right now I’m just taking it day by day.”