Matt Wipper did not know what, or who, hit him. But during a game against Shaker Heights on Jan. 6, the University School senior captain saw everything twice. Not even a 3-0 victory against the rival Raiders helped ease the pain and confusion caused by a concussion.
University School senior captain Matt Wipper, seen above blasting a shot past Gilmour’s Calvin Bleick on March 3, missed 13 games with a concussion but never missed a chance to be with his teammates. He and the Preppers play St. Edward in a state semifinal on Saturday. - (Tim Harrison, Special to PD)
Matt Wipper did not know what, or who, hit him.
But during a game against Shaker Heights on Jan. 6, the University School senior captain saw everything twice. Not even a 3-0 victory against the rival Raiders helped ease the pain and confusion caused by a concussion.
For 13 games over the next six weeks, the Preppers had to play without their standout center, hoping he would return at some point. He finally did on Feb. 25, a district tournament victory over Kent Roosevelt.
Now Wipper looks to cap his career as his club takes on St. Edward in a state semifinal at Nationwide Arena in Columbus on Saturday at noon.
"There was a shift where I saw double, but I didn't really notice until after the game," Wipper said of the concussion. "I was behind the net and going to try a wraparound and someone caught my face. It was crazy. It wasn't hard. Sometimes the perfect hit."
Wipper, 18, and a Plain Dealer All-Star selection as a sophomore when he scored 27 goals and had 20 assists, said the two weeks after the game were the worst. He said there were headaches, but also a sense of sadness and depression.
"I felt kind of hopeless, like I was out for my senior year," said the 5-10, 170-pounder. "Friends told me, 'You're going to be OK. Be positive about it.' "
The Preppers (23-9-3) were not about to call off the season. They suffered their worst loss of the season, 9-2, to St. Ignatius the day after Wipper's injury. But there was some anxiety.
"Wipp's a huge part of our team, but coach [Bill Beard] told us to prepare like he won't be back the rest of the season," said junior Tyler Dalton, who leads the club with 34 goals and 23 assists. "He was still here every day at practice. He was still our leader. We had to change our lines a little bit, changed our power play."
The Preppers went 7-5-1 after losing Wipper. Not bad, but not the success rate expected of a state contender.
They struggled down the stretch in consecutive losses to Shaker Heights, the latter in the Baron Cup semifinals. But the players and coaches knew Wipper was getting close to coming back.
He had returned to skating and was gradually getting his faculties back. He finally was cleared by his personal physician and team trainer, John Brandt.
"It was an opportunity for the younger guys without Matt carrying the load," said senior Kevin DeGulis, who helped fill the void with 16 goals and 40 assists. "Against Shaker, we weren't coming out with any fire. It has definitely been a boost."
The Preppers took care of Hudson, 5-2, before defeating Gilmour Academy, 4-2, last Friday in the Kent District final.
Wipper has scored three goals in three tournament games, including the score that put the Preppers in front to stay against Gilmour.
"I didn't care if he ever played hockey again," said Beard, seeking his third state title in 14 seasons with the Preppers, winning in 2003 and 2009. "He had to be well. But here he was at practice every day bringing a lot of leadership to the locker room. He started skating with no contact.
"Was he going to be able to skate for a long term with no ill effects? Then he was ready."
Wipper, undecided on whether to play junior hockey or attend college, said his time away from the game made him appreciate it more. With a nasty gash to his left chin after the Gilmour victory, he wore that satisfied look of a tough season on the comeback trail.
"We want to win, but regardless, these are the last games of my high school career," said Wipper, who went to the state semifinals as a freshman and sophomore. "I want to have fun with the games and absorb the atmosphere. It's all good."
To reach this Plain Dealer reporter: jmaxse@plaind.com, 216-999-5168
On Twitter: @JoeMaxse
Getting to know Matt Wipper
School: University School.
Class: Senior
Age: 18.
Position: Center.
Residence: Kirtland Hills.
Family: Parents, Mark and Jane. Sister, Megan, attends Ohio University.
College: Undecided. May play junior hockey. Has interest in attending Ohio University, Michigan State or Hobart (N.Y.).
Major: Business. Interested in marketing.
Statistics: Tallied 10 goals and 11 assists as a freshman when the Preppers won the state championship in 2009; 27 goals and 20 assists as a sophomore, the Preppers reaching the state semifinals; 23 goals and 16 assists as a junior; 21 goals and 17 assists this season. Totals are 81 goals and 64 assists. On champion Baron Cup I Tournament teams his first three seasons.
Honors: Named to the Greater Cleveland High School Hockey League Red Division All-Star team three years. Plain Dealer All-Star in 2010.
Did you know? He plays the guitar and is giving piano a try.
-- Joe Maxse