Centre Thomas Foster is nearly ready to return to action with the Vancouver Giants, but general manager Scott Bonner explained via text message Monday morning that the team is going to keep Foster out of action until after the Christmas break to be safe.
He’s played just shy of two periods of regular season hockey this season due to two separate shoulder injuries. Foster, 19, came into this season, his fourth as a Giant, with a high expectations. His return will be a considerable boost to the squad.
Meanwhile, Bonner also said that Tuesday marks the holiday trade freeze, so it’s unlikely that they’ll be any major shake-up with the Giants heading into Wednesday’s tilt against the Victoria Royals. It’s the fourth of four straight between the teams.
Vancouver beat Victoria 4-2 on Sunday afternoon on Vancouver Island, behind two goals from Alec Baer. He has 10 goals on the season, but five in his past four games and seven in his last eight.
Ben Thomas and Jack Flaman, with his first WHL goal in his 40th career start over two seasons, also tallied for Vancouver (10-19-2-2), who have won five of their past eight.
After Wednesday, Vancouver has a weekend home with Everett before the Christmas break.
