Sidney Crosby was back on the ice Wednesday at UPMC Lemieux Sports Complex in Cranberry, skating on his own prior to the team’s practice session.
The Pittsburgh Penguins captain did not take part in the practice. Crosby had not been seen during any media availability period since he left the ice early during an intrasquad scrimmage Saturday.
Crosby was just skating on his own before practice. He is not skating with the team today. -MC https://t.co/ljtqVBPtE2
— Pens Inside Scoop (@PensInsideScoop) July 22, 2020
Per NHL mandate during this return-to-play during the coronavirus pandemic, the team is not permitted to speak on the injury status of any player. Coach Mike Sullivan opened his post-practice remarks to the media with a brief statement about Crosby via video conference call.
“I just wanted to comment (that) Sid skated on his own this morning before the team practice,” Sullivan said, “and I’ll have no further comment after that.”
Veteran forward Patric Hornqvist and depth defenseman Jusso Riikola were part of a group of 23 players who took part in Wednesday’s practice, which maintained the high tempo and intensity that has been present throughout the two weeks of resumed practices. Hornqvist and Riikola were the most prominent of a group of nine players prevented from practicing for a week as a precaution because they had been in contact with an individual who had been in contact with a person who had tested positive for covid-19.
The group of nine had been cleared Monday, but because an intrasquad scrimmage was scheduled that day Sullivan opted to ease their transition back into contact. Tuesday was a scheduled off day for the Penguins. Sullivan said Hornqvist and the others would be eligible and permitted to participate in a scheduled intrasquad scrimmage Thursday evening.
