Johnny Boychuk

Islanders' Boychuk close to return, joins teammates for skate

Published Jan. 25, 2016 2:49 p.m. ET

foxsports

The New York Islanders saw a familiar face back on the ice Monday.

Veteran Johnny Boychuk participated in the team's optional skate prior to its contest versus the Detroit Red Wings. Coach Jack Capuano was more than pleased to see the 32-year-old, who has been sidelined eight games with a shoulder injury following an attempted check on Buffalo Sabres rookie Jack Eichel on Dec. 31.

Johnny Boychuk is skating again with the team this morning. #Isles pic.twitter.com/yWsCrFQDYB
— New York Islanders (@NYIslanders) January 25, 2016

Via NewYorkIslanders.com:

"He's been skating on his own the last couple of days. To see him back out there is a breath of fresh air and I'm sure (it is) for him to be around the guys and for us knowing that his time is not too far away. There's a good chance that after the break here, hopefully sooner rather than later we'll get him back in the lineup."

Although he won't be on the ice versus Detroit (24-16-8), Boychuk's expected return is the latest good news for the Islanders (25-15-6). New York recently welcomed back fellow defenseman Travis Hamonic, who had missed four games with a lower-body injury.

Boychuk has scored three goals and set up 11 others in 38 games this season. A second-round pick of the 2002 draft, Boycuk has collected 31 tallies and 93 assists in 431 career contests with the Colorado Avalanche, Boston Bruins and Islanders.

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Johnny Boychuk

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