The big surprise at today's morning skate was the participation of defenseman Colin White, who had not been on the ice with the entire team since he sustained a right eye injury during a Sept. 19 practice. White didn't even know he was going to take part in the skate until head coach Brent Sutter asked him to after he arrived at Prudential Center.
"I was going to go on by myself," he said. "I've been skating with Jamie (Langenbrunner) for three weeks and training hard. Today was coach's decision. He asked me if I wanted to take part in the morning skate. Obviously, it was nice to be around the guys and to get back on the ice. It was kind of a feel-good day for me, getting back out there, making some passes, taking some passes, taking shots, just being part of the group again.
"It's been a long seven weeks. It's been long. It seems a lot longer to me. We're not rushing anything. We're just doing what we feel is right."
White wore a 3/4 protective visor. He said it is the same model as the one Ottawa's Dany Heatley wears. White said he tried "four or five different ones" to find one he was comfortable with. "It's something I'll gladly wear to get back out there and playing," he said.
When he will play in a game -- or even take part in a regular practice -- still remains unknown. White is hoping the vision in his right eye, which he described as "a blur" will continue to improve. He last visited the doctor a week ago and his next appointment is scheduled for Nov. 14. He wasn't ready to say if he would be able to play if it stops getting better, though. He was just happy to get out there this morning.
"It's a positive step," he said. "I'm not going to sit here and say I'm going to play in a week. I have no idea what we're doing. All I'm doing is doing what I can to get back to that point and hopefully thing will work out."
White's teammates were clearly glad to see him.
"Definitely, goaltender Martin Brodeur said. "He's one of our older guys, one of our leaders."
Sutter said the next step is up to White. "Its' going to be Whitey's call when he's ready to go and able to practice," he said.
GO WHITEY!!!!!!!!!!
Posted by: wkmaier | November 08, 2007 at 01:42 PM
Interesting of Sutter to do that.
In any case, good for Whitey. His health is the most important thing, but I'm glad that he's found a visor that he's comfortable with, even though his vision isn't 100%.
Posted by: jules | November 08, 2007 at 01:48 PM
Whitey's health is the most important thing. I'll be glad when(if?) he comes back, but I don't expect him back this year. His vision's still blurry! Good luck, Colin, we're rooting for you!
Posted by: VAdevilsfan | November 08, 2007 at 06:15 PM
really pulling for white to get his eye sight back! hockey aside that is the important thing!
Posted by: ice dog | November 08, 2007 at 11:34 PM
Im sure Colin will pull through. Hes a rough and tough Nova Scotian, he will be back. Good Luck White. Missing the number 5...
Posted by: Tyler | November 14, 2007 at 11:53 PM