Jake DeBrusk returned to full-team practice on Tuesday after missing the previous two games with flu symptoms, as the Canucks prepare for a six-game Eastern road trip beginning Thursday against the Carolina Hurricanes.
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The Vancouver Canucks are set to begin a six-game road trip out east that will feature matches against the Carolina Hurricanes, New Jersey Devils, New York Rangers, New York Islanders, Florida Panthers and Tampa Bay Lightning before Oct. 20.
For DeBrusk, that stretch arrives after he missed the previous two games with the flu, including Saturday’s 4–1 win against the Calgary Flames and Sunday’s 3–2 loss to the Vegas Golden Knights.
On Tuesday morning, DeBrusk took part in his first practice with the full team ahead of Vancouver’s flight to Raleigh, after skating as an extra on Friday before the weekend games. Canucks head coach Manny Malhotra previously said DeBrusk was out with the flu.
DeBrusk said in a media availability that his illness started earlier than Saturday, telling reporters, “I initially felt it, actually, the day of the game in Edmonton.” He added that medical staff advised him to take time off, saying, “They did their job and they told me that I probably should take some time off.”
In that first practice back, DeBrusk was noticeably hoarser than usual, and the team finished with a bag skate led by Malhotra. DeBrusk said the session helped him gauge how his lungs were doing, noting, “I’ve obviously got to test the lungs. That’s the biggest thing right now.” He added that he feels the effects of the air conditioning immediately after walking into a rink, and said, “So I’ve got to go through it. If I want to play in the next game, I have to do these steps.”
With DeBrusk missing half of Vancouver’s games so far and dealing with symptoms in the other two, he said it still feels like he hasn’t truly started the season yet. “I’m starting off at zero, so it’s been positive,” he said. “Obviously the last two days I’ve been doing kind of nothing. But to be able to skate today, see the guys, it gives you energy.”
Vancouver’s first game on the road trip is against the Hurricanes on Thursday at 4:00 p.m. PT.
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