Poll: Should the Reign bring back Chad Starling?

The rundown on defenseman Chad Starling:

2010-11 stats [career]: 0 goals, 1 point, minus-1 rating, 16 penalty minutes in 14 games.

Quote: “This is honestly the first summer in five years that I haven’t had surgery at the end of the year. I’m healthy for the summer so I can go home and start training.”

Pros: After undergoing two surgeries in January, Starling was still in good enough shape that he could have played in the playoffs. What the “goalie’s best friend” brings is no secret — a physical presence around the net, leadership on and off the ice, and the best shootout move in the league. Starling’s experience would be especially valuable if David Walker and Jon Francisco don’t return.

Cons: The 6-foot-6 defenseman must prove that his injuries are behind him. Specifically, that his skating and mobility – which were not assets before his surgeries – won’t be a major liability at age 31.


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About J.P. Hoornstra

J.P. Hoornstra covers the Dodgers, Angels and Major League Baseball for the Orange County Register, Los Angeles Daily News, Long Beach Press-Telegram, Torrance Daily Breeze, San Gabriel Valley Tribune, Pasadena Star-News, San Bernardino Sun, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin, Whittier Daily News and Redlands Daily Facts. Before taking the beat in 2012, J.P. covered the NHL for four years. UCLA gave him a degree once upon a time; when he graduated on schedule, he missed getting Arnold Schwarzenegger's autograph on his diploma by five months.