Tuukka Rask returned to Bruins practice after a 5-day leave
"I appreciate that I got the privacy and the time I needed and I'm ready to move on now."
After spending five days away from the team, Bruins’ starting goaltender Tuukka Rask returned to practice on Tuesday morning.
Tuukka Rask first on the ice for #NHLBruins
— Matt Kalman (@MattKalman) November 13, 2018
Rask addressed the media following the team’s workout in Brighton.
“First and foremost, I want to thank all of the people who sent me messages and contacted me and supported me,” Rask said. “Second of all, I want to thank the Boston Bruins for giving me the opportunity to take time off [to be] with my family. I’ve never been more proud to be a part of this family. This is a family, we are a family and we take care of each other when times are tough. The being said, I have a job and my job is to be a hockey goalie for the Boston Bruins. And I also have another job title, and that is a family man. This was a time that, deep inside my heart, I felt like I needed to take time to be with my family and make things right so I can be back here and focus on my job. And that took three days [but] I’m back here and I’m back to work, and I’m ready to battle with these guys. …I appreciate that I got the privacy and the time I needed and I’m ready to move on now.”
🎥 Tuukka Rask addresses the media following his return to practice this morning: pic.twitter.com/h9Gy7yLTZF
— x – Boston Bruins (@NHLBruins) November 13, 2018
Dan Vladar, who was called up in Rask’s absence on an emergency basis, has returned to the AHL and was on the ice with the Providence Bruins on Tuesday morning.
In his absence, the Bruins won both of their games over the Leafs and the Golden Knights.
Head coach Bruce Cassidy confirmed that Jaroslav Halak will start Wednesday night’s game against the Colorado Avalanche, per The Boston Globe‘s Kevin DuPont, and fans can expect to see Rask on the ice as soon as this weekend against either the Dallas Stars or the Arizona Coyotes.
