He feared a blocked shot would end his hockey career, now he's back and thriving

Samuel Dub had played just two games for the Halifax Mooseheads when he thought he might never play hockey again.

The 16-year-old forward was the team's first-round pick in last year's entry draft and had come from Europe to suit up for the Moose. During his second game of the regular season in late September, Dub blocked a shot with his ankle.

"I've blocked many shots in my life, but this felt different," he said.

In the days that followed, he noticed cramping in his calf. After a visit to the hospital, he was diagnosed witha blood clot, which was behind one of his knees andstemmed from the blocked shot.

Doctors told him it would take three months to heal and he'd have to take blood thinners, but Dubwould be able to play again.He was allowed to practise with the team while he healed, but only on a non-contact basis.

"Those were probably the toughest three months of my life," said Dub.

Cam Russell, the general manager of the Mooseheads, is a former NHL player. It was the first time he'd come across somebody getting a blood clot from blocking a shot.

"Typically, when you think of a player blocking shots, you think of a broken foot or a bad bruise or something like that," said Russell.

The lesson learned

Dubsaid the ordeal hasn't left himafraid of blocking shots, but he did learn something from his ordeal.

"I'm going to see a doctor after every game if I block a shot," he said.

Russell said one of the challenges of being out of a lineup beginning early in a season is when the player returns, the other players are hitting their strides.

Dubreturned to the lineup in early January.

After scoring his first goal, he pumped his fist and threw himself into the boards, showing off an extra bit of adrenaline sparked by the joy of once again being able to play.

Russell saidDubhasn't looked out of place.

Fitting right in

"It hasn't slowed him down and it hasn't made him wary of going to the corners," he said. "He plays the game very hard."

Dubgrew up in Europe because his father, aQuebecernamedYanickDub, played professional hockey in Germany and Switzerland after some time spent in the AHL. His AHL time included playing for the Prince Edward Island Senators,according to hockeydb.com.

Samuel Dub's journey to Halifax came in part throughKonradAbeltshauser, a professional German hockey player who also has a connection to the Mooseheads.Abeltshauserplayed for the team for four seasons, which culminated with the team's 2013 Memorial Cup victory.Abeltshauser is fromBad Tlz,the same townDub grew up in.

"I had a good talk with him," saidDub. "He said it was a great organization and they treat you like pros."

Besides the glowing recommendation from Abeltshauser,Dubalso wanted to play for the team because they'll be competingin this year's Memorial Cup.

As the host city for the national championship, Halifax is guaranteed a berth in the four-team tournament that pits the winners from the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League, Ontario Hockey League and Western Hockey League against each other.

The tournamentwill be a great showcase forhis talents and help him with his goal of one day making the NHL.

"It's an unreal opportunity," said Dub. "It's once in a lifetime."