Igor Shesterkin practices with Rangers for first time since car accident
Igor Shesterkin of the Rangers makes a save during the second period against the Toronto Maple Leafs at Madison Square Garden on Wednesday, Feb. 5, 2020. Credit: Jim McIsaac
For the first time since he broke a rib in a Feb. 23 car accident in Brooklyn, goaltender Igor Shesterkin skated with the rest of the team on Thursday morning before the Rangers hosted the Washington Capitals.
Shesterkin, who missed his sixth straight game, had been skating on his own for a few days and taking low shots only. But he operated under no restrictions Thursday, according to coach David Quinn, and his return is imminent.
“I think we’re to the point where it’s day-to-day,’’ Quinn said.
Shesterkin emerged as the Rangers’ No. 1 goalie, ahead of Alexandar Georgiev (who started against the Capitals) and Henrik Lundqvist, soon after he was called up from AHL Hartford on Jan. 6. The rookie from Russia is 9-1 in his 10 NHL starts, with a goals-against average of 2.23 and a save percentage of .940.
The accident occurred while Shesterkin was driving with teammate Pavel Buchnevich. Their car was hit by a vehicle that made an unexpected U-turn, according to team president John Davidson, who informed the media of the accident the next day. Both players were wearing seatbelts and the airbags deployed.
Trouba: Part of the game
Jacob Trouba spoke to the media for the first time since his friend and former defense partner, Brady Skjei, was dealt to Carolina at the NHL trade deadline.
“Part of playing professional sports is people get traded,’’ Trouba said. “Obviously, we’ll miss him. I’ll miss him. But it’s part of the game.’’
Trouba, who met Skjei when they were in high school and trying out for the U.S. National Team Development Program in Ann Arbor, Michigan, said he has texted with Skjei and he is adjusting well.
“Obviously, it’s different,’’ Trouba said. “I don’t know how much he saw it coming . . . You think it’s not going to happen and it happens. It’s a big life change. Not so much a career change, but it’s a different life for him and his fiancée and his family.’’
Colin Stephenson covers the Rangers for Newsday. He has spent more than two decades covering the NHL and just about every sports team in the New York metropolitan area.
