BLOG: Englund Rejoins Blackhawks Following Injury

After leaving the game against the Ottawa Senators with a hamstring injury, Andreas Englund rejoined the Blackhawks on Wednesday in Washington D.C. before the team takes on the Capitals on Thursday night.
Head coach Luke Richardson noted that it was important to have Englund back to try and have him practice with the team after skating on his own for the last few days. With one team practice down, Richardson will see how the defenseman feels after a few more practices so he can return to the lineup.
"I think we want to get in with the team as quick as possible to practice," Richardson said. "Since we're on the road, they can skate on their own all they want, but it's still not the same as with the team. So, they're available, I think we'll see how everything goes today and how they feel after today for the rest of the week."

Englund suffered a hamstring injury during the team's 5-0 win against the Ottawa Senators back on March 6. The new Blackhawks defenseman had just five games with the team before exiting the matchup early with only six minutes of ice time.
Although he faced an unusual injury with his hamstring, he started to feel good on skating with the team on Wednesday afternoon. Right before he exited, he stated that he started to understand the new system and began to find his rhythm with his new teammates.
"I mean it's never a good time to get injured but definitely started to feel good," Englund said. "It felt like I was just getting into the system and everything. It's tough timing but I just got to get back on the horse."
Before leaving the game against Ottawa, the 6-foot-3 defenseman played an average of 15 minutes on the ice. Despite losing some games, he felt that he performed well and hoped to build off that once he officially returns.
"I think it was pretty good," Englund said. "I tried to bring my physical game and we obviously had a of couple of tough nights but, it felt good. I felt like it got better and better so I can keep building on that."
Richardson felt that the Swedish defenseman had a strong start when he first joined the team following the trade with Colorado. The first-year head coach admired the physicality and aggression that he brought and his ability to move for his position.
"He plays his job to a tee, but when a guy is defensive and you never get up in a play and help out or an option and shoot pucks then it becomes a little too predictable," Richardson said. "So, for him as a defensive guy, knowing the right time to get up every once in a while, to get a shot on net helps keep the team on its toes and it opens up other people."
With a few more weeks left remaining in the season, Englund hopes to bring his assertive style and passing to the lineup once he returns.
"I want to bring physicality and be good in the D-zone and just good passes that's definitely my game so that's what I want to bring in towards the end," Englund said.