Kris Letang returns!
What great news! I know this is a bit late – just came home from work, but it’s a fantastic update nonetheless.
Kris has returned to the lineup – currently he is playing in the tonight’s game against the Detroit Red Wings!
Here are all the media updates from the Pens:
Letang Returns to the Ice Tonight
Defenseman Kris Letang, 26, will return to the lineup Wednesday night when the Penguins hosts the Detroit Red Wings at CONSOL Energy Center 10 weeks after suffering a stroke.
“When I heard I had (a stroke) my first reaction was when would I skate again and play again?” Letang said. “I always wanted to come back.”
Letang, 26, was cleared to participate in full contact practice by doctors on March 17 and has worked the past three weeks with the team. Doctors cleared Letang to return to the ice, but the decision was left to him on when he felt comfortable to play.
“Kris has been bugging me for a little while for a return to play,” general manager Ray Shero said. “He feels good on and off the ice so he’ll be back this evening.”
“It was a decision between myself and (Shero),” Letang said. “We’ve been chatting for the last few weeks. Relief and really happy to have a chance to play.” – Source
Letang to “Self-Monitor” in Return
Letang will be paired with defenseman Rob Scuderi and will see action on the team’s second power-play unit. While the team will be cognizant of his health situation, they won’t be closely monitoring him.
“Some of the monitoring of Kris will be self-monitoring,” head coach Dan Bylsma said. “I’m not going to ask him after every shift, good pass or bad pass or hit he takes how he’s feeling in the game.”
The Penguins are just happy to have their teammate and friend back on the ice. Source
