Erie Otters' officials were hopeful defenseman Mitch Gaulton would rejoin the lineup after the Christmas break. But his return hinged on being medically cleared by New York Rangers' doctors on a trip to New York City during the holiday break. That trip didn't occur, Otters head trainer David Stickney said before tonight's game against Kitchener at Tullio Arena.
Schedule conflicts caused by the holidays kept Rangers' doctors re-evaluating Gaulton's surgically repaired left elbow. That trip should be scheduled soon, Stickney said. Gaulton's return, Stickney said, "depends on what the doctors in New York say."
If those doctors are happy with his progress at the six-month mark since undergoing reconstructive surgery in July, Stickney said, then they will set a timetable for Gaulton's return.
For now, Gaulton practices with the team, but still hasn't been cleared for contact. He hasn't played a game this season. He missed most of last season after dislocating his elbow in October 2007.
Meanwhile, defenseman Robyn Sertic's return from his third concussion in the past year remains undetermined, Stickney said. Sertic plans to visit specialists in Pittsburgh for a second time in the next couple of weeks, Stickney said. Sertic has been out since being injured Oct. 18 in Owen Sound. Stickney could not say if Sertic could miss the rest of the season. "It's tough to say," Stickney said.
In pregame news, defenseman/winger Brian Shaw has joined Gaulton, Sertic, goaltender Jaroslav Janus (World Juniors) and forwards Greg McKegg (World Under-17s) and Michael Liambas (hip surgery) on tonight's scratch list. Kitchener scratched goaltender Josh Unice (WJC), defensemen Branden Morris, Andrew Wilson, Robert Bortuzzo (shoulder) and Jonathan Jasper and forwards Mike Mascioli and Jeff Skinner. Mascioli has received an indefinite suspension from the OHL because of a fight in a loss to Kingston on Tuesday.

– Victor Fernandes