Islanders Injury Update: Pelech Takes Step Forward In Progress

EAST MEADOW, NY– The New York Islanders have been without elite defenseman Adam Pelech for quite some time. After sustaining an upper-body injury on Dec. 6 in a 7-4 loss to the St. Louis Blues, it had been over a month with no news.

It was a dirty hit by Blues defenseman Robert Bortuzzo that forced Adam Pelech out for some time, as Pelech’s head banged against the wall, as he came up woozy.

Bortuzzo hit on Pelech pic.twitter.com/fbDqbSNF5n

— Rob Taub (@RTaub_) December 7, 2022

However, on Jan. 9, New York Islanders head coach Lane Lambert shared that Adam Pelech had been skating on his own.

And on Thursday morning, Pelech was on the ice before morning skate:

#Isles Adam Pelech is on the ice prior to morning skate: pic.twitter.com/df2PJaquYy

— Stefen Rosner (@stefen_rosner) January 12, 2023

Pelech is currently on Injured Reserve retroactive to Dec. 6, and there is no timetable on when he can return to the lineup. But he was flying around the ice and seemed to have made significant strides over the last week.

“Yeah, he provided some energy even today, just [at] the morning skate with the guys,” New York Islanders forward Brock Nelson said. “It’s fun to see him out there.”

Islanders head coach Lane Lambert did not have much as to when we could expect Pelech back, but Thursday morning was a critical step in the right direction.

“Well, he’s getting closer,” Lambert said. “Whatever that closer might be, now that he’s back on the ice. So it’s a big step for us.”

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