Yzerman plans to be ready for Olympics

DETROIT (AP) -- Steve Yzerman plans to return to the Detroit Red Wings' lineup next week and represent Canada in the Olympics after recovering from arthroscopic surgery on his right knee.

The Red Wings captain said Thursday he expects to play Monday at Montreal and Wednesday at Minnesota. Then he'll play in Canada's first game in the Salt Lake City Olympics, against Sweden on Feb. 15.

The 36-year-old center has missed four games and will miss games on Friday and Saturday while recovering from surgery.

Yzerman skated for 20 minutes Thursday, his first time on the ice since injuring the knee Jan. 26 against St. Louis.

"It felt fine, but the doctor didn't want me practicing before tomorrow," Yzerman said. "I just went cruising for a little. I plan on skating each day through the weekend with the goal of playing in Montreal."

Yzerman said he could have continued playing, but he believed his game would have suffered.

"What it came down to was my knee was starting to bother me more and more," he said. "I knew something in there wasn't right. I knew something in there was bothering me, hurting."

Yzerman has 13 goals and 33 assists this season.

 

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