Reign now without leading goal scorer Brodzinski due to injury

The Reign’s leading goal scorer Jonny Brodzinski missed his first game of the season on Friday night and it was learned by ORI through two sources that the scratch was injury-related.

The 6-foot-0, 202-pound right winger is in the midst of a breakout season in his second year pro, leading Reign with 21 goals in 51 games. He’s second in points with 40.

Brodzinski, a St. Cloud State product, was hit hard from behind by the Heat’s Garnet Hathaway in the second period of Wednesday’s 6-2 loss in Stockton and missed the rest of the frame but did eventually return for the third. When asked after Friday’s game if the injury was a result of that hit, Reign head coach Mike Stothers replied with, “yup,” and confirmed Brodzinski is dealing with a mid-body injury.

Here’s a look at the play, courtesy of Sheng Peng:

Hathaway hits Brodzinski from behind in front of Reign bench, Brodzinski doesn't come back for rest of 2nd pd pic.twitter.com/cqDqWS1Cjl

— Sheng Peng (@Sheng_Peng) March 2, 2017

Stothers confirmed Brodzinski would also not play on Saturday when the Reign host Tucson at 6 p.m. and it appears the Minnesota native could miss some extended time.

“Just when you think you’re getting guys back and you’re getting healthy, you’re getting some depth and you’re getting some lines and you’re looking and you go, ‘man, yeah, now we got this and this and this.’ Nothing seems to be day to day,” Stothers said. “I don’t understand it. It’s been a tough year in that regard.

“There’s been some guys that you don’t want to have out for any length of time. Now you print that and somebody’s going to read that and go, OK, there’s some guys that it’s OK to be out that long? You know what, he’s a 21 goal scorer. You don’t want him out of your lineup for too long a period.”

Brodzinski, a fifth round pick by the Kings in 2013, missed the majority of the playoffs last season after suffering a wrist/thumb injury in the first round against San Jose. His injury comes just as the Reign are getting other healthy players back in the lineup like Michael Mersch (knee), Teddy Purcell (undisclosed), Joel Lowry (knee) and Alex Lintuniemi (groin).

It had been previously reported by LA Kings Insider Jon Rosen in late February that a recall for Brodzinski to Los Angeles was being strongly considered by management.

The “nothing seems to be day to day” remark certainly gives the impression that the Reign could be without Brodzinski for a longer period of time, but Stothers said it would be “real difficult” to answer whether this injury would keep Brodzinski out a couple of weeks.

“The assessment I always give ’em is, you’ll be all right, play tomorrow. That’s why I’m not a trainer,” Stothers said.