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MONTREAL - When Tim Brent tore a pectoral muscle during an exhibition game against Pittsburgh last September, he was told his season might be in jeopardy.
Instead, his 2009-10 campaign will finish on a high note, one he never thought would come.
Told he likely would be out at least six months from the time of his injury, Brent was back playing competitive hockey just four months later, returning to the AHL’s Toronto Marlies.
But the best was yet to come.
With the Maple Leafs closing out their season tonight against the Montreal Canadiens as part of hockey’s most storied rivalry, Toronto management opted to call up Brent to take part in the finale.
“We’re rewarding him,” coach Ron Wilson said. “We had one call-up left and we’re using it.”
Brent, a former St. Mike’s Major, was signed as a free agent last summer.
“It’s exciting,” Brent said. “I grew up in a household of Maple Leaf fans in Cambridge, which is just about 45 minutes from Toronto.
“Montreal-Toronto is such a huge rivalry. It’s a dream to play in this.
“It’s just nice to get a game in.”
mike.zeisberger@sunmedia.ca
