Wild Star Defenseman Brock Faber Returns To Lineup Against Bruins After Missing 21 Games

Minnesota Wild defenseman Brock Faber is officially back.

After missing the first 21 games of the season with a skull fracture, Faber will make his season debut Saturday against the Boston Bruins as the Wild wrap up their three-game road trip.

Faber, 24, suffered the injury during Minnesota's final preseason game and has been sidelined ever since.

The star defenseman was medically cleared to return last week, but the Wild wanted to make sure he was physically ready before putting him back into the lineup.

Wild head coach John Hynes confirmed Thursday in Toronto that Faber could be an option to return Saturday. Now, that possibility has become a reality.

Faber traveled with the Wild on their current road trip but did not play Tuesday against the Montreal Canadiens or Thursday against the Toronto Maple Leafs.

His return provides a significant boost to a Minnesota team that has been one of the NHL's best despite missing one of its top defensemen.

Last season, Faber recorded 15 goals, 36 assists and 148 blocked shots while averaging 24:41 of ice time across 80 regular-season games.

The Wild have managed to put together a 14-3-4 record without Faber, sitting near the top of the NHL standings.

Now, Minnesota gets one of its most important players back as it looks to continue its strong start to the season.

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