Pittsburgh Penguins left-winger Pascal Dupuis has been cleared for contact and is expected to make his return to the ice in the 2015-16 season. The news was first reported by Josh Yohe of DK on Pittsburgh Sports.
Dupuis, 36, has been sidelined since November 15 with blood clots. He was originally given a diagnosis of at least six months away from hockey as doctors monitored his progress.
Recently, they have been experimenting to get the correct balance of medication that will allow Dupuis to return to the ice while keeping him safe from future complications.
“The blood clot has dissolved, and the doctors have recommended a blood thinner medication that will allow him to play,” said Penguins general manager Jim Rutherford. “It’s a big step forward for Pascal, and we’re all excited for him.”
Dupuis had just returned from knee surgery that ended his 2013-14 season when doctors discovered his second blood clot in as many years. He played just 16 games for the Penguins in 2014-15, scoring six goals and recording five assists.
The veteran winger still has two seasons remaining on his contract, which pays him $3.75 million annually.
Dupuis, who came into the league as an undrafted free agent, has always played with an underdog’s mentality. A serious knee injury combined with two blood clots at his advanced age may have been enough to end the careers of the some other players.
Not Dupuis.
In February, he wrote a biopic about his experiences in The Players’ Tribune. In it, he wrote:
“I’m 35. I know I don’t have much time left. But I’m getting out of that press box prison. I don’t care if it takes six months or a year or two years. I will get healthy. I will play in the National Hockey League again.”
Today on Twitter, Dupuis had only this to say:
— Pascal Dupuis (@Duper0009) June 11, 2015
Photo credit: NHLI/Getty Images
