Canucks: Vasily Podkolzin set to return from concussion

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Canucks fans can get ready to breath that sigh of relief.

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Vasily Podkolzin, who suffered a concussion in a scary incident last month in a game with the AHL’s Abbotsford Canucks, appears to have finally recovered from his head injury.

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Abbotsford general manager Ryan Johnson confirmed to Postmedia Friday that the big Russian winger was expected to play Thursday in an AHL game against the Henderson Silver Knights in Nevada.

Podkolzin hit his head on the ice after a hit in a game Oct. 25 at the Abbotsford Centre versus the Colorado Eagles.

He was knocked unconscious by the blow and his body went into convulsions on the ice, a terrifying scene for everyone in attendance and on the ice.

Thankfully Podkolzin regained consciousness even before he was taken off the ice under the care of paramedics, who took him to hospital for further assessments.

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The friendly Russian, who became a father this summer, updated fans from his hospital bed later that evening, declaring on his Instagram account that he was feeling all right.

Even the next day he was said to be feeling good.

The Canucks took a cautious course in returning him to action. He returned to the ice just over a week ago, along with three other players who were dealing with concussions: Tristen Nielsen, captain Chase Wouters and Aidan McDonough.

All three are on good course to return to action as well, Johnson said. Wouters was also likely to play Friday versus Henderson while Nielsen appeared on course to play on Saturday afternoon versus the Silver Knights.

McDonough will hopefully be ready to play next week in Calgary versus the AHL Wranglers, Johnson added.

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Before the injury, Podkolzin had been on a tear, scoring five goals in the first six games of the AHL season. He seemed to be rediscovering his confidence. And he was getting a chance to be “the man” again, with the team leaning on him to show off all aspects of his game, especially on offence.

The key for Podkolzin to find his way back to the NHL will be him recognizing how to sustain his energy level through each shift and making every touch of the puck the highest quality.

“It’s not something you do every once in a while. It’s who you are. And that will allow you to withstand the pressure and the schedule of the NHL and the high demands and the small margin for error,” Abbotsford head coach Jeremy Colliton told Postmedia last month.

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