It's been a whirlwind few weeks for Dainton, who went from Chicago to Reading to Springfield in the blink of an eye.
This former Minuteman is happy to be back in Western Massachusetts ... for however long it lasts.SPRINGFIELD – With the Springfield Falcons suddenly in goaltending trouble, they turned to their “traveling man” for help.
That would be Paul Dainton, a 25-year-old former University of Massachusetts star who certainly knows his way around the hockey map.
Travel? To play Division I hockey at UMass, he traveled from his hometown of Iqaluit in Nunavut, the northernmost of Canada’s federal territories.
After all those miles, Dainton has easily negotiated his travels since turning pro as a Columbus Blue Jackets signee last March.
He played five games for the 2010-11 Falcons, but this season has been a real travelogue for him. He started in Springfield, but was soon assigned to the Chicago Express of the ECHL. Then it was back to Springfield for a bit, then back to Chicago, and last week, on to Reading, Pa., also a member of the ECHL.
“I was on a road trip to Florida with Chicago when I found out I was transferred to the Reading roster. I had packed the usual Florida stuff – sandals, shorts and all that – and wound up having to buy new clothes after I got to Reading,” Dainton said.
Then, with Florida gear still in hand along with the new duds, Dainton got another call – back to Springfield. He arrived Monday night, skating with the Falcons Tuesday morning.
“For all the running around he’s had to do lately, Paul still walked in here with a big smile on his face, ready to go. He gives us something to feel good about,” Falcons coach Rob Riley said.
Dainton is sorely needed because the slumping Springfield club has more manpower problems. Over the weekend, it lost both goaltenders – Manny Legace and Mark Dekanich – to injuries. Legace won’t play this weekend because of a leg strain. Dekanich has an ankle injury which could take awhile to heal.
The Falcons are also bringing back Allen York from the ECHL. He was scheduled to join the roster Tuesday night.
It’s likely Dainton will be in the net Wednesday night when the Falcons play at Worcester. It’s the second of four straight road games for the Birds before the American Hockey League’s all-star break.
“I’m glad to be back here,” Dainton said. “I feel that I’ve been playing well, and I got into a bunch of games with Chicago, which really helps.”
The Falcons have winger Tomas Kubalik back from a Columbus callup, and likely will have captain Dane Byers back (again), maybe for Wednesday night, or by the weekend.
“We have a stretch of three games in four nights. We just have to find a way,” Riley said.
ICE CHIPS: Dainton said he closely follows UMass hockey. “I saw where my old friend Steve Mastalerz shut out Boston College. That’s something I never did, and he’s already done it,” Dainton said ... The Falcons have lost four in a row, and desperately need to regroup. “We did have some good signs over the weekend,” Riley said. “Nick Drazenovic played well coming back from the injured list. And Greg Amadio looks like a nice addition on defense” ... Winger Cody Bass tried to come back from a shoulder injury, but is sidelined again. “I give him a lot of credit for trying,” Riley said.
Garry Brown can be reached at geeman1918@yahoo.com