NHLers happy to see Okposo healthy and playing again
Kyle Okposo's NHL brethren were thrilled to see him back on the ice.
The Buffalo Sabres winger played his first game Wednesday night since an undisclosed illness forced him to be hospitalized in intensive care, and to miss the final six games of this past season.
Okposo played in Da Beauty League, a summer tournament based in Minnesota featuring many NHL players who hail from the state.
His RBC squad, which also featured Minnesota Wild forward Zach Parise and Florida Panthers center Nick Bjugstad, was routed by Tria, a team led by Pittsburgh Penguins forward Jake Guentzel and Toronto Maple Leafs defenseman Jake Gardiner, but Okposo notched an assist in a 10-3 loss.
"Obviously seeing a teammate go through something like that and struggle to get healthy is tough," Sabres forward Hudson Fasching told NHL.com's Jessi Pierce postgame. "He's such a good guy and going through a lot with that whole deal, trying to figure out what was wrong. I'm just happy he's healthy and happy for him to get back."
Parise echoed those sentiments.
"Really good (to see him out there)," the Wild forward said. "I've spent a lot of time with him this summer. It sounded like a pretty scary thing to happen, so for him to be out here and skate, it was great. I'm sure for him mentally it feels good but for us as friends, it's really good to see."
"I guess this was kind of his return back to the scene and to the public," Parise added. "He didn't play (in Da Beauty League) last year, so I don't think he knew what to expect either, so I think he was pretty surprised with the turnout also."
Brock Nelson told Pierce he's also spent time with his former New York Islanders teammate recently and was encouraged by Okposo's progress.
"It was pretty scary when that news came out (that he was hospitalized), everyone was pretty concerned and wished him the best," Nelson said. "But I've seen him a lot this summer and he seems to be doing well, which is good, and it was good to see him back out there (Wednesday), too."
Last month, Sabres general manager Jason Botterill effectively said he expects Okposo to be ready for training camp, and that he looked great both physically and mentally.