No secrets are more closely guarded than injuries during the playoffs, so there is no official word whether Thomas Hickey will play for the Seattle Thunderbirds tonight against the Tri-City Americans.
Hickey was conspicuous by his absence during practice on Monday as the T-birds prepared for Games 3 and 4 of the Western Conference semifinals tonight and Wednesday at KeyArena.
The Seattle captain took a knee to the head during Seattle's 7-1 victory in Game 1 in Kennewick on Friday and did not play in Saturday's 4-0 loss to the Americans in Game 2.
Hickey, the No. 4 overall selection in the 2007 NHL draft by the Los Angeles Kings, did not lose consciousness after the hit but needed help to leave the ice. He was back on the bench later in the game but did not play. He warmed up for Game 2 but was a late scratch.
"He wants to play, but we're following the protocol for those type of injuries," Seattle coach Rob Sumner said. "He was cleared to play, but we chose not to use him."
Hockey | WHL Playoffs | T-birds' Thomas Hickey might not play in Game 3 vs. Tri-City | Seattle Times Newspaper
T-birds' Thomas Hickey might not play in Game 3 (Seattle Times) 
