An Early Return
On Sunday, November 8, Duncan Keith participated in his first team practice since being placed on long-term injured reserve (LTIR), on October 20 of this year. Although he is not eligible to return to the ice until Saturday, November 14 when the Chicago Blackhawks will face-off against the St. Louis Blues on the road. It is still uncertain as to whether that will his first game back, but coach Quenneville was unusually chatty on the subject, which is to say, he smiled and gave a 2 word answer.
Keith played the first six games of this season, in which he notched two assists. He admited recently, that he had experienced some pain in his calf dating back from June, when the Blackhawks were dueling the Tampa Bay Lightning in the Stanley Cup Finals. The Conn Smythe Trophy winner was unsure as to which game in that series it was, but he guessed Game 3 or 4. It was then, that he started to experience some pain after another player landed on the leg.
During the summer, he took some much needed rest, and the pain subsided. With his symptoms abated, Keith assumed that it was nothing major, and thought the injury had healed away from the daily grind of hockey. After a rigorous training camp, preseason, and the beginning of the season, he finally revealed to the trainers, doctors, and staff that he was experiencing excruciating pain.
It was not until then that doctors found he had a meniscus tear in his right knee. Although Keith felt the pain in his calf, it was most likely referral pain from his knee. The team announced his injury, and he immediately underwent surgery, which proved successful. The timetable for recovery is four to six weeks, with November 14 being the earliest possible date for his return.
Keith participated in his first practice Sunday, and the Blackhawks’ next game is not until Thursday when they face the New Jersey Devils on home ice.
It is expected that more updates will arise during the week, as Keith’s triumphant return approaches, so do not forget to check back with The AOSN for more!