LOVLAND, Colo. (AP) – Gabriel Landeskog warmed up on the ice Friday night, like it was just another game. He had his first shift, chased the hockey, had a light check, and was asked to do a hook penalty, as if it was just another game, too.
no. All cameras trying to save moments prove this. Landeskog joins the Colorado Hawks in the U.S. Hockey League, the first time he has been in a professional game in nearly three years.
this Long-term Colorado Avalanche Captain rented to Hawks As part of the minor league conditional mission. He traveled through the morning skateboarding at Blue Arena in Loveland, Colorado and got the green light to get the Eagles against the Henderson Silver Knights.
He went through pre-match training – without a helmet, so his blonde hair was easily spotted – cheered and serenadeed with an ode to “Landy, Landy, Landy, Landy” before the puck fell. He cheered as the fans left the ice after his first shift (lasting about 46 seconds), then he went to the penalty box and showed his image on the big screen (he waved to the crowd).
It’s also an expensive ticket (about $200). His newly unsolved Hawks No. 92 sweater is also coveted, with fans waiting in a long line, winding around the hall for a chance to buy one. His avalanche jersey was a popular sight throughout the field.
He has been eliminated due to a knee injury and subsequent surgery since he helped the Avalanche win the Stanley Cup in 2022.
If everything is tied to his Loveland position, the 32-year-old Gritty forward from Sweden can be activated in the first game of the Colorado first-round playoff series. The Avalanche enters the playoffs, is locked in the third seed of the central division and will open on the road.
“I’m excited for him and his family,” coach Jared Bednar said Friday, ending the regular season on a two-game trip to the team leaving California. “Obviously it was a long and tough road and finally back on the ice in the game situation, I was just excited for him.”
Some of his avalanche teammates, such as Nathan Mackinnon and Cale Makar, caught a glimpse of the No. 92 in the Hawks sweater in the arena. Mackinnon and Makar were several last trips skipping Colorado State and taking a break before the playoffs.
“He spent a lot of time, a lot of time,” said Landeskog’s long-time friend Erik Johnson. “It’s something he doesn’t have to let his body run out, but wants to work for the team. It’s exciting for us to get him further in recovery.”
Landeskog’s injury dates back to the 2020 “bubble” season, when he was accidentally overwhelmed by Makar’s skates in the playoffs against Dallas. Landeskog finally underwent a cartilage transplant on May 10, 2023 and has been injured for a long time.
The program is similar to the one conducted in March 2023 on Chicago Bulls point guard Lonzo Ball. Ball returned to the court for preseason in October, suggesting a possible timeline for Landeskog’s return.
Landeskog’s comeback is the theme of the documentary series titled “Clean sheets: Gabe Landeskog”, which airs on TNT and TRUTV.
This is Landeskog’s 13th season as captain, with only Sidney Crosby and Alex Ovechkin serving as current team leaders for a longer period of time.
“He’s carrying such a weight in the locker room,” Colorado forward Logan O’Connor said. “Obviously, his voice was loud.”
As for plans with Landeskog after Friday, Bednal said that remains to be determined. During his career, Landeskog was almost a player in the six playoff games against the Avalanche.
“It’s the toughest time of the year to jump back to the roster, right? He hasn’t.” “We’ll just look at how he’s doing tonight and we’ll continue to reevaluate from there, like any other injury we have. But, the length of time this situation is very important.
“So we’ll see what he looks like in practice. If he gets it, we’ll make a decision in the game and start from there. But one day at a time.”
___
AP NHL:
