Forter returns to Wild lineup

SAINT PAUL, MN – Minnesota Wild defenseman Kurtis Foster made his return to the lineup Saturday against the LA Kings. Foster suffered a severely broken femur late last season when the San Jose Sharks Torrey Mitchell hit him from behind during a race to touch the puck before and icing call can be made. The hit, and following injury, led to a new rule this season prohibiting any contact during a race for the puck to prevent icing.
Foster was given the choice to make his come back in San Jose two games ago, but passed on the offer, citing the emotionally charged idea of returning in the same arena where he was injured. Wild Head Coach Jacques Lemaire told the media that Foster would make his return either in LA or in Anaheim, but did not take the ice in LA for warm-ups. Interviewed after the first intermission, Foster said that he was in back riding the exercise bike and doing pushups when he was told that fellow defenseman Brent Burns was ill and could not go. It has been a long road back, as Foster has undergone emergency surgery, had a rod installed in his leg, and endured painful physical therapy that was documented along the way on the Wild’s website. He was given a two week rehab stint with the AHL affiliate Houston Aeros, in which he played in six games, had six points, and helped the Aeros with their playoff push with a six game win streak. The Wild and Foster asked the NHL to make an exception to the rule requiring players to clear waivers if sent down for more than two weeks, but the NHL refused.

Foster did appear to be a step behind the play for most of the game. Write that off to being out for nearly a year, not being mentally prepped for the game being a late addition, or any number of factors. He had only 9:34 of ice time, took a penalty, and was on the ice for one goal against, and one goal for. Meanwhile, the Wild, mired in a disappointing road trip, are searching for any way to right the ship. They are currently 1-4 on a six game trip, go home for one game against the Sharks, and then go right back out on the road again. Before the trip started, Lemaire said his team needed to go .500 for the trip to feel comfortable in making the playoffs. Today’s loss makes that impossible, so the Wild will need to find a way to prove their coach wrong. Currently sitting in the eleven spot in the Western Conference with 67 points, the Wild will be hard pressed to find points with eight of the next twelve games on the road, and six of seven remaining home games against teams ahead of them in the standings. The author can be reached at bryan.reynolds@prohockeynews.com