Minnesota Wild Charlie Coyle Returns to Practice

Charlie Coyle has been sidelined since the Minnesota Wild’s second game with a sprained knee. But Coyle is now back on the ice for the first time since his injury at the Wild’s morning skate Thursday at the Xcel Energy Center.

Sep 21, 2013; Saint Paul, MN, USA; Minnesota Wild forward Charlie Coyle (3) shoots during the third period against the Winnipeg Jets at Xcel Energy Center. The Wild defeated the Jets 4-3 in a shootout. Mandatory Credit: Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports

Coyle, who is a forward started the season centering the Wild’s second line, said it was a relief to hit the ice with other players after he missed eight games. He wore a knee brace and said it offered security and support but did not inhibit his skating.

“I’m more stable with it,” he said.

Coyle isn’t the only one who is excited about his return to the ice, Coach Mike Yeo as well is but he says that there is no immediate timetable for Coyle’s return.

“It was a good first step,” Yeo said of Coyle rejoining his teammates. “I don’t think he’s too far away now.”

As of late Coyle has been shooting pucks into a net off the ice, but was one of the last players off the ice at the end of the skate.

He will not dress for their home game Thursday night against the Carolina Hurricanes.

“It was kind of lonely doing workouts by myself,” he said, “so it was nice to get out there with the guys again.”

The Wild have gone 4-3-1 since Coyle was sidelined.

“We’ve held our head above water,” Yeo said. “We haven’t exactly dominated in this last little stretch. That’s a big loss for us, and we’re anxious to get him back.”