Minnesota Wild defenseman Brock Faber returned to practice on Thursday, progressing toward his regular season debut after a fractured skull. Coach John Hynes confirmed Faber has been cleared to play but needs to ramp up strength and conditioning. Faber will not suit up for the upcoming home games on Friday or Saturday but is scheduled for the road trip starting Tuesday in Montreal.
Faber's injury occurred in a preseason game on Sept. 25 when a shot struck the side of his helmet near the left ear, requiring hospitalization and surgery. Last season, Faber logged the ninth-most minutes among NHL players and recorded a career-high 51 points in 80 games. The Wild lead the Central Division at 11-3-3 despite multiple key absences.
Captain Jared Spurgeon, who replaced Faber on the top defensive pair with Quinn Hughes, is sidelined with a lower-body injury. Defenseman will join the road trip alongside forwards Marcus Foligno and Nick Foligno and goalie Filip Gustavsson.
Source: ESPN NHL · Summarized by HeadlinesBriefing