Former Predators Forward Makes Long-Awaited Return Following Scary Injury

It's been nine months since former Nashville Predators forward Kevin Fiala has taken the ice following a scary injury early in the Olympic Games in February, now he's finally making his return to the NHL.

On Thursday night, the Los Angeles Kings announced that Fiala had been activated off of the injured reserve and will make his season debut tonight against the New York Islanders.

Fiala, the Predators' 11th overall selection in the 2014 NHL Draft, played 204 games for the Preds across five seasons. During that time he had 97 points (45 goals and 52 assists).

After being traded to the Minnesota Wild late in the 2018-19 season, Fiala's game found another level in his final season in the State of Hockey. He had a career high 33 goals and 85 points during the 2021-22 season before joining the Los Angeles Kings organization over the offseason. 

Whether or not Fiala will be able to continue playing at such a high level after his injury remains to be seen, but hockey fans around the world are certainly glad to see him back on the ice following a terrifying injury that ultimately helped dash Switzerland's hopes in the Olympics.