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By SCOTT REINARDY sreinardy@leader.net
Tuesday, January 25, 2000 Page: 1B
In just one weekend, Penguins left wing Mike Yeo ended one career and began
another.
For the second time this season, Yeo injured his right knee in Friday’s 7-3
victory against Hershey. He had surgery to repair the damaged knee in
November, spent six weeks to rehabilitate it, and returned to play 16 games.
But facing the possibility of a second surgery in three months, Yeo, 26,
decided it might be time to end his playing days.
“I just don’t have the confidence in my knee,” he said Monday. “I can’t
go hurting it every second or third game and expect to play at 100 percent.”
Before Saturday’s game against Worcester, coach Glenn Patrick offered Yeo
the job of assistant coach. At his choosing, Patrick has not had a full-time
assistant all season. Pittsburgh was providing a roving assistant, but that
ended when Herb Brooks became coach Dec. 9 and appointed Eddie Johnston and
Rick Kehoe his assistants. Previously, Johnston and Kehoe were regulars behind
the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton bench.
“I told Glenn I needed some time to think about it because it’s not easy
stepping away from the game you’ve worked at your whole life,” Yeo said. “I
went home, thought about it for about 10 minutes and there really wasn’t much
to think about. He presented me with an incredible opportunity and there’s no
way I could have said no to that.”
So Monday, wearing a sweatsuit and baseball cap, Yeo jumped into his new
job as assistant coach.
“He’s really smart and he’s been riddled with injuries,” Patrick said.
“I need the help and when his knee’s better maybe he’ll be a playing
assistant coach.”
Patrick also said not having an assistant hasn’t been any more difficult
than he expected.
“I’ve enjoyed doing it myself, but what he can offer is things that I’m
not so good at, like breaking down film.”
In 19 games this season, Yeo had four points (one goal, three assists) with
four penalty minutes and a plus/minus rating of minus-16.
Yeo, from North Bay, Ontario, played the previous five seasons with Houston
of the International Hockey League. He was the Aeros’ captain last season when
they won the IHL championship.
Yeo’s knee surgery in November was his second in 18 months. This season, he
injured the knee in an exhibition game on Sept. 24 against Syracuse when his
skate caught a rut in the ice. A similar thing happened in Friday’s game.
Although he admits it won’t be easy stepping away from the game, Yeo said
he’s eager for the new challenge.
“The only thing I had to think about was if I was ready to give the game
up. Obviously, you’re never going to be 100 percent ready to do that. On the
other hand, I get to stay in the game and be around it. I couldn’t ask for
anything better than that.
“This is my goal now, coaching. It’s the end of one career and a start of
another.”
When Yeo was rehabilitating his knee, he was an acting assistant coach for
Patrick, but now the job is full time. He’ll make his debut tonight when the
Penguins host Empire Division rival Syracuse at 7:35.
ICE SHAVINGS: Although goalie Ryan Bach’s two-game suspension is over,
Jean-Sebastien Aubin is expected to start in goal tonight. … Defenseman
Pavel Skrbek has missed the last four games. He was a healthy scratch for two
games and now is nursing a sore wrist. He is expected to play tonight. …
Recovering from a broken cheek bone, Greg Crozier wore a half shield at
practice Monday and is expected to play tonight. He played against Rochester
last Wednesday wearing a full shield, but was scratched because of the injury
Friday and Saturday.
Call Reinardy at 831-7342.