Bryce Hatten returns from hip surgery to help out Cedar Rapids RoughRiders down the stretch

CEDAR RAPIDS — Twitter was a big help. He also checked the result of each game online, caught a few live on the United States Hockey League's website.

Bryce Hatten did the best he could to keep up with the hockey club he was away from. The Cedar Rapids RoughRiders defenseman played his first two games last weekend, surgery for a torn labrum in his right hip sabotaging his second season here.

He's finally back and very grateful for that.

'It's definitely one of the best feelings ever to finally be with the boys out there,' Hatten said. 'I definitely missed it a lot. It's only one of those feelings you get being with your teammates. I really missed it. It's good to be back.'

The 18-year-old from Granger, Ind., was expected to be a key member of the Riders' 'D' corp but took a hit in his only preseason game in September that 'popped out' his hip.

'It felt weird ever since. It didn't feel right,' he said. 'They had to go in there and fix the labrum, shave some of the bone off. It was a good surgery, though. The doctor knew what he was doing. I was in good hands.'

Ironically, second-year goaltender Ryan Larkin suffered a similar injury that ended his season less than a month in. Hatten rehabbed vigorously, kept a positive mental outlook and worked his way back.

He returned to Cedar Rapids recently, practices went well enough and he got some ice time last weekend. The RoughRiders (38-13-5—81) play Friday night at Dubuque and host the Fighting Saints in the regular-season home finale Saturday night at 7.

One victory in their remaining four games cinches the USHL's Anderson Cup for most regular-season standings points and home-ice advantage throughout the playoffs. Cedar Rapids has won the Anderson Cup twice, the last time in 2010-11.

'It was always in the back of my mind to get back here and help the team,' Hatten said. 'Do everything in my recovery not to rush it, but to get back. It just happened to fall into place here.

'I'm getting close (to where I was). I've been getting better every day, conditioning wise and strength wise. I'm not quite there, yet, but I'm definitely getting close. Just keep getting better every day.'

Hatten said despite a full season of missed development, he will head to college next season at Miami (Ohio).

'I think I can definitely make up for what I missed over this summer,' he said. 'I'll be ready for Miami next year. But right now, I'm focused on the rest of this season and what we can do.'

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