Blackhawks coach Joel Quenneville said defenseman Trevor van Riemsdyk — recovering from wrist surgery — is unlikely to play in Game 4 of the Western Conference series against the Anaheim Ducks but could be an option later in the series.
The Hawks recalled van Riemsdyk from Rockford of the AHL on Friday. He participated on a limited basis at the Hawks’ optional practice Friday at the United Center. When he had the surgery on April 7, the Hawks said he could return to normal hockey activities in approximately eight weeks, which would be June 2.
“We’ll see,” Quenneville said. “I know that timeline to get him on the ice was his first day today. He’s been ready. He’s cleared to participate. He’s out there doing one-on-one drills. We’ll see how he is.
“I don’t anticipate him being in [Game 4]. He’ll need a few days out here and we’ll get an evaluation and go from there.”
Van Riemsdyk, 23, was an effective player for the Hawks in 18 games before suffering a fractured knee cap when he was struck by a shot against the Dallas Stars on Nov. 16. He had one assist and an even plus-minus differential with the Hawks. He suffered the wrist injury while playing for the IceHogs during his recovery. He had three assists in eight games for the IceHogs before the injury.
For his part, van Riemsdyk was just happy to be here and skating again.
“We’ll see,” he said when asked about the possibility of playing in the playoffs. “I haven’t looked too far down the road here. Just taking it step by step. It feels good to be back on the premises here and being around skating. It was fun and I’m going to take it day-by-day and see how everything responds and go from there. ”
Asked it he feels ready to play, van Riemsdyk indicated he still might need some time.
“It’s getting there,” he said. “It’s still a process, still a little work to be done. But it’s a fun challenge to take on every day and kind of a 24-hour thing taking care of it, doing all the right things. Just getting back to healthy as quickly as I can.”
