Brock Hirsche and Troy Bourke are the only Prince George Cougars guaranteed not to see action this weekend in Victoria.
Cougars head coach Dean Clark said the team's sick bay has started to clear out, though 20-year-old captain Hirsche is still on the long-term injured list with a right shoulder problem. But Bourke (upper-body) could return to the lineup next weekend when the Royals travel to Prince George for a pair of games.
Hirsche and Bourke have skated together this week prior to the Cougars practice.
Jake Mykitiuk is ready to return after a bout with mono.
The Cougars will be without 19-year-old forward Caleb Belter for tonight's game as he serves the final game of a three-game suspension for a boarding major he took Nov. 16 against the Saskatoon Blades. The Royals will be without Tyler Stahl, who is serving a two-game suspension for a double minor he took Nov. 20 against the Blades.
Silvertips Murray out for season
Ryan Murray is expected to miss the rest of the Everett Silvervips season after suffering a separated shoulder during a game last week.
The 18-year-old defenceman was selected second overall by the Columbus Blue Jackets in the NHL entry draft last June and returned as the Silvertips' captain this season when the NHL locked out the players in a labour dispute.
Murray's injury also likely opens up a spot on Canada's blueline for the 2013 World Junior tournament in Russia starting Dec. 26.
Ingils gets another chance
After being sent home by the Red Deer Rebels, former Cougar Charles Inglis received another opportunity when the Kamloops Blazers picked him up in a trade Monday.
The Blazers had an open 20-year-old slot when forward Jordan DePape decided to retire after suffering a right shoulder injury that required surgery. DePape missed most of last season with an injury to his left shoulder.
Inglis led the Rebels in scoring with 21 points when interim coach Brent Sutter told him to pack his bags last week. The Winnipeg product's stay in Prince George ended in similar fashion when Inglis was shipped home during a November 2011 road trip in Kelowna to await a trade. He was shipped to Red Deer for Daulton Siwak after Christmas.
The talented centre began his WHL career with the Saskatoon Blades. Inglis played his first game in a Blazers' uniform Wednesday as the Regina Pats edged his new team 2-1 in overtime.
Concussion shuts down former Cougars D-man's season
Former Cougars defenceman Reid Jackson will miss the remainder of the Moose Jaw Warriors season due to post-concussion symptoms.
The 19-year-old was traded to the Warriors last May for overage defender Dallas Ehrhardt.
