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Retirement on hold
Moose greybeards not ready to hang up skates
By
KEN WIEBE -- Sun Media
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  Manitoba Moose forward Mike Keane talks to media yesterday following the team's exit from the AHL playoffs Monday night. (Sun Media/Jason Halstead)
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Despite being responsible for what will be a combined age of 79 years at the end of this month, don't look for the elder statesmen of the Manitoba Moose to be planning a retirement party any time soon.
Goalie Wade Flaherty and captain Mike Keane both re-iterated yesterday that they hoped to play again next season. Whether or not they will be back in antlers remains to be seen.
Showing the enthusiasm and mettle of a guy who simply loves the game, Keane showed up at the MTS Centre yesterday morning and got a workout in before most of his teammates showed up for exit meetings.
When he addressed the media, the three-time Stanley Cup winner said he's healthy and has no plans to hang up the blades.
"I'm going to reflect a little bit, but the passion is still there and we'll see what happens next year," said Keane, who will turn 40 on May 29. "I don't want to be a father figure or coach. If you see a player doing something wrong, you just tell him. I don't think that's a mentoring role, it's just pointing out the ins-and-outs of the game.
"No one knows everything about the game. I learned again this year and as a player, that's what you want to do."
Keane would still love a crack at another Stanley Cup, but if he's playing in the AHL it will be in his hometown with the Moose.
Moose head coach Scott Arniel spoke highly of Keane when asked if he'd like him back next year.
UNBELIEVABLE JOB
"Mike did an unbelievable job for us," said Arniel. "For me, as a first-year coach, like I've said often, he was my so-called assistant coach in the room, not that he'd ever admit that. He was a great captain. He's such a professional guy and he's been great around our young players."
Flaherty was still stinging from Monday's Game 6 loss to the Hamilton Bulldogs and avoided the arena entirely. He'll have his exit meeting today before heading home to Vancouver before the week is out.
When reached on his cellphone, Flaherty said he plans to discuss his future with his family.
One of the problems with a potential return to the Moose is that the crease could be crowded if the parent Vancouver Canucks re-sign Drew MacIntyre and 2004 first round pick Cory Schneider leaves Boston College after his junior season, as is expected.
The Canucks also have Julien Ellis in the system, though he might benefit from another season in the ECHL.
Flaherty showed his faith in the Canucks this summer by re-signing with them before becoming an unrestricted free agent on July 1.
He was pencilled in to serve as the backup to Roberto Luongo, but the Canucks claimed Dany Sabourin off waivers on the first day of the NHL season.
Flaherty was devastated and it took him a while to get going when he was sent back to the Moose. But he returned to form and showed his competitiveness by coming back from a pair of knee injuries.
"I had an injury that should have kept me out the rest of the season," said Flaherty. "Yeah, I want to play next year. No question, but it has to be the right opportunity."
Is returning to Manitoba an option?
"I'm not going to close any doors," said Flaherty. "But (Vancouver) may not want to sign me. They might say 'that's enough.'"
We'll leave the last word to the head coach.
"He's the type of guy that just finds ways to battle," added Arniel. "I don't think you've seen the last of Wade Flaherty."
