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Avalanche report: Svatos to return to ice

By Rick Sadowski, Rocky Mountain News (Contact)

Published September 29, 2008 at 3:30 p.m.

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Marek Svatos signed a two-year, $4.1 million contract.

Photo by Andy Devlin © NHLI via Getty Images

Marek Svatos signed a two-year, $4.1 million contract.

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Nearly seven months after suffering a season-ending knee injury, Marek Svatos is expected to make his exhibition debut Wednesday when the Avalanche plays Dallas at the Pepsi Center.

"I'm looking forward to it," the 26-year-old right wing said Monday. "I feel good. I'm a little bit behind. I'm a little afraid in the back of my mind, but I'm sure after the first shift I should be good."

Svatos had a team-leading 26 goals in 62 games when he took a hit from Los Angeles' Jon Klemm in a March 1 game and fell into the boards. He suffered a torn anterior cruciate ligament and underwent surgery a few weeks later.

"He kind of pushed me from behind," Svatos said. "I had no balance and I just flew to the boards and it was kind of awkward when I landed."

Coach Tony Granato said Svatos is "probably as good a natural scorer as there is."

If only he could stay healthy. Svatos scored 32 goals in 61 games as a rookie in 2005-06, when he missed the final 20 games because of a fractured shoulder, and he had 15 goals in 66 games the next season when he was plagued by groin injuries.

Wolski back at practice

Left wing Wojtek Wolski practiced for the first time since leaving the ice with a sore foot the opening day of camp.

"I did a lot of running this summer, a lot of track," he said. "I think it was just the constant pounding of the track. When I started skating - it was track and skating the same day - I think it was a little too much too soon.

"I was happy to get out there finally. Watching the guys and working out every day and doing sprints and stuff isn't my idea of fun. I'd rather be out on the ice with the guys."

Wolski, 22, is coming off an 18-goal, 48-point season and enjoyed a solid first-round playoff series against Minnesota with two goals and three assists in six games. His season ended when he broke four ribs in the Western Conference semifinal opener against Detroit.

"It took four or five weeks to heal," he said. "I have high expectations this year."

Etc.

* Right wing David Jones practiced after missing a few days with a groin problem, but forward Cody McLeod (hip pointer) and defensemen Adam Foote (groin) and John-Michael Liles (eye) did not. Liles has some swelling near his eye after getting hit with a stick Saturday against the Kings. Right wing Milan Hejduk (back) skated briefly before practice but didn't take part in drills.

* The Avalanche plans to honor the 2008 U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame induction class, Cammi Granato, Brett Hull, Brian Leetch and Mike Richter, during pregame festivities Oct. 9 when Colorado opens its season against the Boston Bruins at the Pepsi Center.

Numbers game

$102,000 raised by Avalanche players and coaches Monday during the team's annual charity golf tournament at The Ridge at Castle Pines North. The event has raised more than $900,000 in 12 years.

Comments

  • September 30, 2008

    6:34 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    Ahab337 writes:

    Is the game vs. Dalls finally going to be on TV? My guess is no. How come East coast preseason games are broadcast, but not out here? Drives me nuts. Give me more AVS!!!

    Glad Svatos is back. Hopefully we can stay healthy this year (knock on wood). Hopefully we can actually win against the Wings this year. You know in Detroit they're going to have "the greatest arena band" (not my words) Def Leoppard open before the game? What a joke. I'm so glad I don't live in Detroit.

    GO AVS!!!