Devils' Nico Hischier Returns to Practice

New Jersey's captain skated with his team for the first time since sustaining an upper-body injury.

NEWARK, N.J. -- New Jersey Devils captain Nico Hischier returned to practice on Monday, Nov. 20.

"Great to see him out there. I think even for the guys (there was) a little renewed energy seeing Nico," said head coach Lindy Ruff. "We don't really have a short-term timeline; we just see how practices go. We will see where he is at tomorrow."

When asked if Hischier could play in their next game, Ruff said, "You know, I don't think I should rule anything out."

Ruff revealed that Hischier has been skating independently for about a week or so.

The captain was injured on Oct. 27 in his team's game versus the Buffalo Sabres, when the 24-year-old took a hit from Buffalo Sabres' defenseman Connor Clifton. NHL Player Safety handed Clifton a two-game suspension for an illegal check to the head.

"I've always tried to play hard and the right way," Clifton said. "I think I've proven that. Almost 300 games with zero incidents and zero fines. Yeah, I miss-timed a hit, as simple as that. Obviously, there was head contact, which I didn't intend to do. It's a fast game. I watched it 100 times. Obviously, I wish I took a different approach. I kind of thought he was going to catch it and carry it in."

In seven games this season, Hischier has two goals, one blocked shot, five hits, and a faceoff win percentage of 55.2.

The Devils' next game will be Nov. 22, when they travel to Michigan to take on the Detroit Red Wings.