Shane Wright Could Return For Firebirds In Calder Cup Final

The good news for the Coachella Valley Firebirds is that they've reached the AHL Calder Cup Final without Shane Wright.

The bad news is that they've reached the Final without Shane Wright.

However, there's reason for optimism that the injured CV center will return for Friday's Game 1 of the Calder Cup Final between the Firebirds and Hershey Bears.

"I hate watching games. Any athlete can relate to that," a smiling Wright told InsideAHLHockey.com's Tony Androckitis.

Wright has been practicing in the lead-up to the Final. "You always want to be out there helping your team, you always want to be on the field or ice playing. Definitely more motivation for me to go out there."

The Seattle Kraken 4th overall draft choice in 2022, Wright hasn't played since an illegal hit by Hayden Hodgson of the Ontario Reign on May 18.

As you can see from the AHL-TV screengrab, Wright had no reason to expect contact from Hodgson, 3:15 into the 3rd period of Game 2 at Acrisure Arena. By the time Wright is crunched along the far boards, the puck has made its way to the near boards.

Earlier in Game 2, Wright had been the offensive hero with a goal and two assists.

He was held out of Game 3 against Ontario, in which the Firebirds completed a sweep of the Reign. Nor did Wright appear in any of the five games Coachella Valley needed to dismiss the Milwaukee Admirals in the Western Conference Finals.

Wright on Thursday was named to the AHL's "Top Prospect" team. From the league release:

"Shane Wright's first full season as a pro saw him total 22 goals and 25 assists in 59 games for Coachella Valley, tied for seventh among AHL rookies in scoring. He also appeared in eight NHL games over two stints for Seattle and posted four goals and one assist, highlighted by a three-point night at Anaheim on Apr. 5."

Both the Kraken and Firebirds are hoping Wright will have the chance to once again show his "Top Prospect" form starting tonight.