LOVELAND, Colo. (AP) — For the primary time in 1,020 or so days, Gabriel Landeskog has some contemporary recreation tape to look at. Sport tape of him hitting gamers, taking hits, being known as for a penalty and even placing somebody in a headlock.
“A headlock,” he mentioned with a smile Friday evening, “wasn’t essentially deliberate after I wakened this morning.”
His emotional journey again from a severe knee damage took middle ice as he suited up in an expert recreation for the primary time in practically three years when he joined the Colorado Eagles of the American Hockey League.
The longtime Colorado Avalanche captain is on mortgage to the Eagles as a part of a minor league conditioning project. He participated within the morning skate Friday at Blue Enviornment, and was given the inexperienced mild to make his Eagles debut in opposition to the Henderson Silver Knights.
He went via pregame drills — with out his helmet so his blond hair was simple to identify — to cheers and was serenaded with chants of “Landy, Landy, Landy” simply earlier than puck drop. The followers cheered when he left the ice after his first shift, which lasted about 46 seconds, and once more after he went to the penalty field, along with his picture proven on the massive display screen (he waved to the gang).
He soaked in each second over the course of a night stuffed with checks, spills, a hooking penalty known as on him and all of the applause.
“I’m enthusiastic about what the long run seems to be like for me,” Landeskog mentioned after the Eagles’ 2-0 win by which he performed slightly below quarter-hour.
Landeskog obtained reward from a number of Silver Knights gamers, together with one who instructed him, “it’s nice to have you ever again,” earlier than a faceoff.
“It’s what makes this recreation so nice — you exit and put any person in a headlock, after which the subsequent faceoff, any person says one thing good to you,” Landeskog mentioned. “It’s fairly cool. The help, even from gamers across the league, and clearly right here as properly, it means lots.”
This was an expensive ticket, too (round $200). His just-unveiled Eagles No. 92 sweater was coveted as properly, with followers ready in a protracted line that snaked across the concourse for an opportunity to buy one. His Avalanche jersey was a well-liked sight everywhere in the venue.
Landeskog has been sidelined since he helped the Avalanche win the Stanley Cup in 2022 due to a knee damage and subsequent surgical procedures.
If all goes properly along with his Loveland stint, the 32-year-old gritty ahead from Sweden might be activated for Sport 1 of Colorado’s first-round playoff sequence. The Avalanche enter the postseason locked into the Central Division’s No. 3 seed and can open on the highway.
“I’ve excessive expectations of myself. I’m additionally life like in realizing what I’ve gone via, and the way a lot time is missed,” mentioned Landeskog, who has been practically a point-a-game participant in six playoff runs with the Avalanche. “I don’t need to look too far forward. However I do know that I really feel good at this time, hopefully I really feel good tomorrow and we will hold working. I can hold working towards and we’ll see the place it takes us.”
This was simply one other step alongside what’s been a arduous journey.
“I’m excited for him and his household,” Avalanche coach Jared Bednar mentioned Friday earlier than the crew left for his or her two-game journey to California to shut out the common season. “To lastly get again on the ice in a recreation scenario, I’m simply thrilled for him.”
A few of his Avalanche teammates, similar to Nathan MacKinnon and Cale Makar, made the roughly 50-mile trek north to Loveland with a view to catch a glimpse of No. 92 in an Eagles sweater. MacKinnon and Makar have been amongst a number of gamers skipping Colorado’s closing journey to get some relaxation earlier than the playoffs.
“He put lots of work in, lots of time,” defenseman Erik Johnson, a longtime buddy of Landeskog, lately mentioned. “It’s one thing he didn’t need to put his physique via however wished to for the crew. To have him get this far in his restoration is thrilling for us.”
Landeskog’s damage dates again to the 2020 “bubble” season when he was by chance sliced above the knee by the skate of Makar in a playoff recreation in opposition to Dallas. Landeskog ultimately underwent a cartilage transplant process on Could 10, 2023, and has been on long-term injured reserve.
The process was much like the one carried out on Chicago Bulls level guard Lonzo Ball in March 2023. Ball returned to the court docket for a preseason recreation in October, which hinted at a doable timeline for Landeskog’s return.
Landeskog’s comeback has been the topic of a documentary sequence known as “A Clear Sheet: Gabe Landeskog” that’s airing on TNT and TruTV.
“It felt just a little bit surreal driving up right here for morning skate,” Landeskog mentioned. “(The sport) couldn’t come quick sufficient. I used to be actually excited. It’s an odd feeling whenever you’ve been trying ahead to one thing for thus lengthy, after which impulsively you get to do it.”
As for the plan shifting ahead, Landeskog’s not totally certain. He might play once more Saturday — if his knee feels as much as it.
For now, he’s simply appreciative of all of the help.
“I by no means thought this was going to get up to now and get this large and get this a lot consideration,” Landeskog mentioned. “I used to be simply attempting to battle my approach again, and right here we’re.
“It was a enjoyable evening. Now, I’m drained. I’m trying ahead to sleep.”
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