Jack Eichel is back on the ice.
Eichel, who had artificial disk replacement surgery on Nov. 12, has recovered enough to return to the ice to take a few laps in a video shared Thursday by the NHL’s social account.
Jack Eichel is back skating.
: brandonwonghockey via @NHL pic.twitter.com/w2RroSMAKz
— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) December 2, 2021
In the video, Eichel does a couple of stable but tentative turns on a fresh but largely unoccupied surface of ice. The specific location of the arena wasn’t readily apparent, but a banner in the rink indicates it’s in the Carolinas, which was where Eichel was scheduled to do his rehab under Dr. Mark Lindsay.
Eichel is wearing full equipment, including a helmet with a visor, but seemingly nothing around his neck.
The surgery on his neck was performed by Dr. Chad Prusmack at Rocky Mountain Spine Clinic in Denver and lasted almost an hour and 15 minutes. Early reports were that the procedure went well, and Eichel’s skating on Thursday would seem to indicate he’s at least on schedule.
The 25-year-old was obtained by the Vegas Golden Knights in a blockbuster trade with the Buffalo Sabres after a stalemate caused by the centre’s preference to have the ADR surgery, which had never been performed on an active NHL player.
