Devils’ Tomas Nosek Returns to Practice

New Jersey is close to getting a key defensive player back.

NEWARK, N.J. -- A familiar face joined his team on the ice Thursday at RWJBarnabas Health Hockey House for their afternoon practice.

New Jersey Devils forward Tomas Nosek, 31, participated in his first practice since sustaining a lower-body injury. On Oct. 23, the organization placed him on injured reserve retroactive to Oct. 13.

"(I'm) feeling good, first skate with the boys," Nosek said. "It was exciting to join the group again. It feels good to be back."

He told Devils reporter Catherine Bogart he had been skating for the last ten days and was still attending team meetings while recovering from injury.

"I'm ready to play. I'm just waiting for coach to put me in," he said with a smile.

The Devils' next game is scheduled for tomorrow, but don't expect the versatile veteran back in the lineup yet. Head coach Lindy Ruff has previously spoken about players participating in a couple of practices before being game-ready.

"Today was the first step, obviously he's close now, one practice, probably get him a couple more practices and he'll be ready," Ruff said.

Nosek is known for his defensive game and leads all forwards with an average of 2:57 of shorthanded ice time per game. Through the team's first 12 games, they have given up an average of 3.67 goals, which is the fourth-highest in the league. The team has struggled defensively, and for the Devils, they can't get the versatile veteran back soon enough.