Coventry Blaze hope to welcome back influential defenseman Boris Valabik this weekend.

The big Slovakian took a puck to the face against Nottingham Panthers on New Year’s Eve, but he has healed well allowing him to return to training.

Head Coach Chuck Weber said, “Fortunately Boris’ protective equipment took most of the brunt. If it was a play-off game last weekend he could have gone, but there is a lot of hockey still ahead and it didn’t make sense to put him at risk with limited vision and so on.

“If anything in Nottingham it acted as focus for the boys to get the game won in the third period. The guys were talking about battling to get the two points for him and credit to them, that’s exactly what they did.

“That just shows the respect this dressing room has for Boris. All of the guys look up to him, and not just in a physical sense!”

Valabik added: “I am here to do my job. If that’s blocking shots then so be it. I am team guy and I want the best for the club and my teammates.

“I am not a good watcher so I can’t wait to get back on the ice, all being well in Edinburgh on Saturday night. I will be doing everything I can to make sure that happens.”

(Image permission: Scott Wiggins)