The Dallas Stars are poised to kick off the upcoming season in a significantly stronger position than when their previous campaign concluded. Star forward Roope Hintz recently informed reporters that he has fully recuperated from the broken foot he sustained during last year`s Western Conference Final and appears more than prepared for the start of training camp in September.
“I`m feeling good. My foot is fine, and I`ve been able to train normally this summer. So, everything is good,” Hintz stated during a recent European player media tour in Milan, Italy.
Hintz suffered the injury in Game 2 of the series against the Edmonton Oilers, a result of being slashed by defenseman Darnell Nurse. Nurse received a two-minute minor penalty for the incident, but no further disciplinary action was taken.
Despite the severe injury, Hintz courageously sat out only Game 3 of the series, making a remarkable return for the decisive final two games of the Western Conference Final. He even managed to score a goal in the crucial Game 5, playing approximately 17 minutes in both appearances.
“It`s always tough when you get injured at that point of the year, but you just try to find ways to get back on the ice as quickly as possible,” Hintz commented on his determination to play through the broken foot. “We found a good solution there, and I was able to play, and I felt like normal. So it`s okay, it`s been fine after that.”
Fortunately, the injury did not worsen despite his playoff return, and Hintz did not require surgery on his foot during the off-season, allowing for natural healing and recovery.
The 28-year-old is an indispensable asset for the Stars. Last season, he recorded an impressive 28 goals and 39 assists, totaling 67 points in 76 games, while anchoring Dallas` potent first line alongside Jason Robertson and fellow Finnish player Mikko Rantanen. His full recovery signals a positive outlook for the team`s prospects in the new season.
