Like all NHL teams, the Chicago Blackhawks send out daily medical updates about players’ injuries.
Defenseman Calvin de Haan and goaltender Marc-André Fleury, for instance, were excused from practice earlier this week for “maintenance.” This can be general soreness or just a mental break for a player to get his body and mind in tune for upcoming games.
Pro sports seasons are a long grind, and finding a way to keep athletes mentally and physically prepared is an ongoing struggle. The days of Cal Ripken Jr. shrugging off aches and pains to keep his consecutive games streak alive are ancient history.
