Everybody hugs Raymond: Canucks welcome back winger
Injured forward skates with teammates for first time since Cup final, but no time frame for return to lineup
L SEGUNDO, Calif. — Vancouver Canucks forward Mason Raymond rejoined teammates on the ice here Tuesday for the first time since suffering a compression fracture in his back on a hit by Boston Bruin Johnny Boychuk in Game 6 of the Stanley Cup final.
Raymond, who spent most of the summer in a back brace, emphasized there is no time frame for his return to National Hockey League action. But the winger felt good enough during Tuesday's hour-long workout to participate in drills that involved contact.
“It's good to be here,” Raymond said. “It's been a long time. It's the first time on the ice since the incident. To get out there with everybody else, see a few smiles … it felt good. It has been a lot of hard work. June 13: that date sticks in my head. Tonnes of rehab, doing things twice a day, doing everything I could to get myself better. You work for moments like this. Today is another stepping stone.”
Raymond flew to Los Angeles on Monday and said he was excited just to pack his equipment bag and get on a plane.
He soared around the ice at the Los Angeles Kings' practice facility, skating well even if he didn't feel very graceful.
Two Canucks who were missed at practice were defenceman Sami Salo (groin) and first-line winger Alex Burrows (back).
Vancouver coach Alain Vigneault said Salo may practise with the team on Wednesday, but offered no update on Burrows except to reiterate the injury is “day to day.”
Vigneault said Roberto Luongo will start in goal Thursday against the Kings (7:30 p.m., Sportsnet Vancouver, Team 1040), likely leaving Cory Schneider to play the next night against the Anaheim Ducks. Both Southern California teams have been struggling.
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Everybody hugs Raymond: Canucks welcome back winger
Read more:
Everybody hugs Raymond: Canucks welcome back winger